My recent visit to Adelaide reminded me of the need to ensure that our physical spaces both enhance and support our teaching and learning programmes at Scotch. For those who were able to attend the capital briefings held in our new Middle School you would have heard me refer to the key teaching and learning drivers behind the design of the Middle School.

Over the last 14 years I have served two separate terms as a National Director and WA President of the Council for Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI). Through this role and a period where I worked as a planning consultant for schools in WA, I have become even more focussed on the provision of quality learning spaces to support both the students and teachers in the learning journey. Put simply, we can all recall spaces that make us feel good when we enter them for work or recreation. Schools should be no different.

Obviously major builds such as our Middle School, Library and Gallery provide us with a one off opportunity to enhance and further develop our teaching and learning facilities. These builds are large scale and involve significant capital funding; hence the need for our current Capital Campaign.

Coupled with major builds is the need to maintain an ongoing capital upgrade programme funded from generating small recurrent surpluses from school fees. This is geared at upgrading and refurbishing current spaces. Recent examples at Scotch can be found in the refurbishment of the BRC which resulted in the modernization of the library and provision of a space for our Year 12s. Over the last summer break we created a new weights and conditioning space and classroom in the Senior School gym. Our Director of Teaching and Learning, Ms Skidmore has also worked on some classroom upgrades with interested staff. Furthermore, the provision of new art and music spaces in the Junior School is part of this ongoing commitment to continual improvement. Upgrades are not restricted to internal areas only. Landscaping, parking, upgrading and redesign of external spaces also need to form part of our capital upgrades.

A sub-committee is currently working on a new Master Plan and I encourage you to submit any thoughts or ideas you may wish to be put forward for consideration. Please email your comments to my PA Mrs Fern Purio at FEPurio@scotch.wa.edu.au.

There is much to look forward to over the coming fortnight, including the Senior School production. I encourage you take any opportunity to engage with your College through attending events such as the production or getting involved with the many support groups at Scotch.

I would like to thank those who attended the recent Maggie Dent presentation where we had 670 people. We will continue to look for opportunities to bring speakers to Scotch to discuss topics that we think assist families in the journey of educating their son. For your advance notification Prof Claire Flexer will be presenting on 5^th August at Scotch College in the Dickinson Centre at 6.30pm. Ms Flexer will explain how and why a broader understanding of audiology for all students - over and above impairment - will convert to better education outcomes for all students.

Have a great fortnight.

Dr Alec O'Connell

Community and Service

Service Beyond School

In the past few weeks, contact has been made with Old Scotch Collegians (OSCs) involved in Service within our community. Youth Worker with Anglicare Street Connect, Scott Nodwell ('03) visited the Senior School with the bus used to deliver services to youth living on the streets of Perth. Hamish Cameron ('03), representing Food Bank WA asked the College for support to replenish the stocks of non-perishable food destined for needy families. Tom Joyner ('12) is part of the ICEA team that will soon deliver leadership training as part of the Year 10 Community and Service programme. A visit to 'Food Rescue' - part of UnitingCare West - produced an encounter with an OSC volunteering for a day with colleagues from law firm Clayton Utz. OSC's Grant Gilmore ('06), founder of 'One Degree' http://www.onedegreeinternational.com/ and Calum Foulner ('05) founder of 'Upside' http://upsidenepal.org/ are regular presenters to the 'So You Think You Can Make A Difference' group on Friday afternoons.

Of course, these are just a few of the many Scotch boys who volunteer in our community after leaving school. One of the aims of the Service Programme at Scotch is to present service as a normal part of life beyond school. By providing boys with a positive experience of service while at school and introducing them to adult volunteers from all walks of life, there is every chance that boys will seek out unpaid service once they leave Scotch. The volunteers who come into contact with our boys during the Service Programme inspire and model behaviours that help us to develop servant leaders who are valued members of the global community.

Year 10 International Exchange Programme 2015

There will be an Information Evening on the proposed Year 10 International Exchange programme on Thursday June 5 commencing at 6.30pm in the Bunning Resource Centre. Current Year 9 boys and parents are invited to attend to learn more about this exciting opportunity for boys next year. Those wishing to attend please email Anne Thomson AMThomson@scotch.wa.edu.au.

Tanzania Trade Training Centre Fundraising

Funds to assist the village of Matipwili in Tanzania to build a Trade training Centre are rapidly accumulating, thanks to the generous donations from members of the Scotch community. Senior School boys have enthusiastically participated in the latest venture - the sale of Krispy Kreme doughnuts - and over 150 dozen have been ordered. Payment is now due and cash should be given to Mr Cordner by the end of this week.

Music Department

"The heart of the melody can never be put down on paper." - Pablo Casals

On Wednesday 28 May, boys from the Big Band Programme enjoyed a performance presented by the West Australian Youth Orchestra (WAYJO) entitled "A Journey Through Jazz".

Late last year, Scotch College became the hosts of the WAYJO. In a similar way to the relationship that has developed with the Perth Symphony Orchestra (PSO), the Music Department provides rehearsal spaces and links in with performances and workshops where appropriate. WAYJO is a progressive youth organization currently comprised of three Big Bands, and it draws its membership by audition from students in High School and Tertiary Institutions. Several Scotch College Music Department alumni have been and continue to be involved.

Each year, WAYJO performs one or two Schools' Concerts and traditionally, these performances are held at venues in the Perth CBD, but as the Music Department now hosts the WAYJO rehearsals week, the performance is to be held on campus at Scotch. This arrangement is of great benefit to our boys as they no longer need to waste time in travel, and their tickets are free! This concert "A Journey Through Jazz" is designed to encompass music from a range of Jazz periods to provide an overview of styles, instrumentation and musical development.

Congratulations to Jordan Bowling (Year 8, Ross) who was awarded Second Place in the Grade 5 Strings section of the Fremantle Eisteddfod earlier this term. This is a great result given the high standard of participants who are drawn from all over Perth and beyond.

Upcoming events this term and beyond include the Junior and Middle School Music Camp 3 - 4 June, the Junior and Middle School Autumn Concert 20 June, Reporter Photos 23 July, Senior Recital and Upson Award 31 July, Jazz Night 8 August, Performance Festivals 9 - 10 August and Con Brio 12 - 13 August. Please make a note of the new date for the annual Jazz Night - now to be held at the end of Week 3 Winter Term.

Each 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, 9 June.

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.

Parenting Tips

To further support the Scotch community the College has subscribed to Parentingideas, a leading provider of parenting education resources to Australian schools.

One of their latest articles is entitled- Parenting kids who struggle.

Also available is the Parenting Ideas Magazine; visit the following link:

http://www.parentingideas.com.au/Parent_Magazine.html

Relationships Australia

Parent Child Connection, Parent Teen Connection and Understanding Stepfamiliesare all being run by Relationships Australia in June at 22 Southport Street, West Leederville. For dates, cost and further information please see the attached flyers or contact Relationships Australia 9489 6322, www.wa.relationships.com.au.

Student Wellbeing - Technology and Balance

Technology and kids, they seem to be hitting the headlines lately. Parenting adolescents has always been challenging. This now includes setting boundaries around technology use. Here at Scotch we aim to embrace the wonders of technology while promoting its use in moderation as part of healthy, balanced living. Following a Screen-Time Survey in Senior School, students have discussed issues around technology use, in particular, its impact on sleep, relationships, wellbeing and learning. We know that children who spend excessive time on computers, smart-phones, watching TV and playing video games tend to experience higher levels of emotional distress. Excessive screen-time and exposure to media is associated with reduced feelings of social acceptance and increased feelings of loneliness and aggression. It's ironic that today's young people are the most connected ever; as they say, "you can be lonely in a crowded (chat?) room". So, what can you do as a parent? We hope that guidelines from our recent parent presentation 'How to Set Boundaries Around Technology', with Jordan Foster from ySafe may help your family take steps in a positive direction. Another source of information is www.thinkuknow.org.au developed by the Australian Federal Police and partners.

Shauna Lipscombe

Senior School Psychologist

Uniform Shop

Opening Hours

Tuesday 8.00am to 5.00pm

Thursday, Friday 7.30am to 11.30am

Maroon Blazers

A problem has been identified with the buttonholes of the maroon blazers this year. Our tailor is very concerned and is looking into what may have caused the issue. Fortunately, the business is a local one (established about 50 years ago), so it is a problem easily resolved. If you find that your buttonholes are unravelling, please bring the blazer into the Uniform Shop and we will get it repaired within a week. Mr Williams and Dr McEwan have been appraised of the situation and your son can be excused from marching if necessary while we sort this out.

Supporters' Tops

Supporters' tops are available in the Uniform Shop. We have a warm polar fleece vest and a rugby jumper - ideal for those cold winter mornings next to the playing field!

Boy, Boys, Boys

Taking the stage in front of 700 assembled members of the Scotch community and guests from many other Perth schools, Maggie Dent began her talk with some startling facts regarding boys, their development and their possible futures.

It is a risk being born a boy. Statistics show clearly that boys, and men, are more at risk of:

• Injury as a result of an accident
• Admission to hospital as a result of an accident
• Injury during sport
• Injury doing risky behaviours
• Failure at school and imprisonment
• Death or injury in car accidents
• Offences involving criminal activity
• Being killed as a pedestrian
• AIDS
• Death at work
• Circulatory system disease
• Diagnosis with cancer
• Death from cancer
• Death in war
• Permanent disability from work
• Alcohol and drug abuse
• Suicide

While the evening started on a sombre note, it did quickly turn to the positive with insights shared on how we, as parents and educators, could work to develop good men. With her irreverent sense of humour and love of story telling, Maggie took us on a journey through the minds of boys and men, the pressures they face from media and their own hormones, and how we, as parents, get some things wrong while trying to get everything right.

Our boys are either roosters or lambs. Roosters try to mark their territory and make sure all know they are present. They show off with feats of athletic prowess, strength and bravado. Lambs tend to be quieter and more sensitive, even though they may be capable of the same things as the roosters.

Maggie strongly advocated the need for unstructured play and freedom for boys. She shared with us the impact of a micromanaged childhood that is over-supervised and planned, with very little freedom and autonomy.

"I believe the impact on boys is particularly negative, and increasing levels of depression and mental illness in adolescence may be telling us that there are some very deep instinctual drives that need to be nurtured in a healthy way, rather than denied and crushed." (Dent, 2014)

Boys must develop the ability to assess risks and manage it on their own. This skill is essential for later in life where the risks can have a more profound effect than a cut knee or a broken arm.

Maggie believes that boys need physical contact, rough and rumble play with other boys, and male role models. As boys tend to be less efficient at using language to resolve conflict, this is where they learnt non-verbal cues telling them it was time to leave and walk away.

Leading play expert Dr Stuart Brown argues that we only develop an understanding of 'play code' in our childhood from playing endlessly with other children. Without a play code we can badly misread social situations and interpret a threat incorrectly and, without the ability to defuse the situation, this can turn into violence quickly, especially with a bellyful of alcohol.

What boys need:

• To feel part of a team - belonging
• Opportunities to explore and investigate how things work
• To kick balls, run races and pit themselves physically against a challenge
• Structure and help getting organised
• Goals and good coaching
• Safe environments and a zero tolerance attitude to ridicule and shaming

(Ian Grant, Growing Great Boys)

Maggie's main message was the need for positive male role models in a boy's life. This does not mean only a Dad, as some families have single parents. It refers to the men in their life, be they uncles, grandfathers, teachers or coaches.

Maggie shared with us what a boy needs from their dad (or male role model):

• Rules
• Routines
• Ridiculousness - Fun, laughter, jokes, surprise and warmth create safety for boys
• A "you have what it takes approach"
• Love and affirmation

(Dent, 2014)

It was a special evening filled with laughter and deep reflection on our successes and shortcoming as parents of boys. I left considering where I was getting it wrong and how I could do a better job raising my own son. With the advice I have been given, I hope I will be able to better understand, nurture and connect with my son. Maggie engaged with us, educated us and challenged us as parents and teachers. I thank her for the opportunity to hear her speak.

John Stewart

Head of Junior School

Dent, M. (2014). Why boys need a boyhood to become good men. Retrieved May 29, 2014, from: http://www.maggiedent.com/content/why-boys-need-boyhood-become-good-men

Important Dates to Remember

Primary Years Programme (PYP)

ICT in the PYP

If you have attended a recent assembly, you may have noticed that our assembly items are changing. The boys, sometimes along with their teachers, have been creating and projecting their own film clips to enhance class items. Behind the scenes, digital immigrants (a.k.a. me), have been having lessons on how to 'bump' screen images from different devices. ICT is on the move in Junior School; our one to one iPad/laptop programme is beginning to transform the way in which boys create, collaborate and communicate their learning and to deepen their understanding across all subject areas.

Kathy Derrick

Deputy Head of Junior School - Curriculum

4M News

Year 4M have been mapping out ideas for their assembly item and after some creative thinking decided upon a re-enactment of the Claremont Quarter business excursion. With some guidance from their teacher, the boys developed a dual approach to their assembly presentation. One aspect entailed a technology based 'action group', cutting video and photographic footage and crafting three short films for presentation at the assembly. The remaining boys worked on their theatre and acting skills in order to reenact three of the nine businesses that 4M interviewed and surveyed. The final product, after several laughs along the way, was a mixed media presentation in a recount theme of the excursion. As they say in the business, "break a leg" boys! (A special theatrical way of wishing a performer good luck. Saying "good luck" is considered by actors to be a jinx).

The boys have recently tuned into a new unit of inquiry that focuses on exploration and explorers. Within the framework of this unit the boys have begun to investigate explorers and exploration; past, present and future. They have developed some of their own questions and provocations for this unit in order to drive some personally directed inquiries. Some of these questions include: what is there left to explore? And, why do we still need to explore? Many students have begun to answer some of these broad and interesting style questions with statements such as medical research, nanotechnology, viruses and bacteria that are unknown, space, and the deep oceans. The iPads have come into good effect as a powerful research tool, for searching for clues to answers, with guidance given to suitable kid friendly websites and search engines such as 'Kidrex' by the teacher. There are many mathematical and mapping/social science based inquiries that were being effectively linked such as: create your own island with legend and coordinates, using a compass, map and articulate directions for a buddy to follow, a focus on degrees and mapping investigations and, more.

Thinking routines has been big news in 4M and whilst this is not new in itself, Mr Mann has been clearly articulating to the boys which routines the class has been using and why. Without going to far into this concept, thinking routines are used over and over again to support specific and directed thinking moves (Ritchhart et al., 2006). Some examples 4M use are: Quaker read, generate-sort-connect-elaborate, think-puzzle-explore, circle of viewpoints, arc of learning, I used to
 think... now I think, what makes you say
 that?, and Six Thinking Hats.

We have had a new member join
 the classroom during the last couple of weeks.
 Shadow Junior the dog (a fluffy cute toy) 
joined 4M this week and was sent home
with one of the boys along with his
 journal. Boys volunteer to take
 Shadow Jnr home for a few days over the
 weekend or holiday break. They can take
 photos using their iPad, write about Shadow from first person (dog-point view), and add to his journal. This promotes journal writing through a fun and cute medium. We look forward to reading about the many adventures Shadow Jnr will have and people that he will meet over the coming weeks and months. He is destined to be the most popular and famous dog at Scotch.

Stuart Mann

Year 4 Teacher

Art News

Mission Impossible: Art Task

On Thursday 8 May, 55 Yr 5 boys, 20 parents, Mr Norman, Mr Thomson (Art Technician JS/SS) Michelle Lawson (Finn's mum/Artist/Sculptor/Hairdresser/Zumba teacher) and myself all piled into the Art Studio and surrounding balcony to undertake Mission Impossible. We had one hour, a challenging space and an ambitious task.

To make a clay head and tail of a dog; based on their own dog, a friend or neighbour's dog or simply a favourite breed.

With good preparation, visual references in the form of photos and sketches in the boys' Visual Diaries, a subject that boys were familiar with and interested in, plenty of parent support and hands-on help, expertise from the artist, art technician and art teacher…we made it! The effort was mighty and the results were impressive. Many of the boys commented on how thrilled they were that their clay models looked exactly like their dog.

It was definitely an ambitious project that demonstrated risk-taking behaviour by the Year 5 students, a big entourage of parents, Mr Thomson, Mr Norman and myself.

A huge thank you must be given to our very supportive parents and community and congratulations to the Year 5 boys. You will be able to see the completed mixed media dog sculptures at the end of this term.

Karen Sabitay

PYP Visual Arts

Performing Arts News

As part of their current unit of inquiry, the boys in Year 5 have been exploring symbols and their significance in Performing Arts. We have discussed how symbols can be used to imply greater meaning than the literal suggestion and can be used in Performing Arts to represent something other than what is at face value. The boys have discussed how symbolism can be achieved via characters, colour, movement, costume and props. They are now in the process of choreographing a dance piece based on their own suggestions of where we see symbols in society. This dance piece will be showcased at the Junior School/Middle School Mid-Year Concert on Friday 20 June. We look forward to seeing you there!

Phebe Samson

Performing Arts Teacher

Friendly Schools and Families

What is Cyber-bullying?

Cyber-bullying is bullying using a mobile phone and/or the Internet, for example, when a person:

• Sends nasty or threatening emails or messages on the Internet or via mobile phone.
• Sends mean or nasty comments or pictures about others to websites e.g. Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr or to other students' mobile phones.
• Deliberately ignores or leaves out others over the Internet.
• Pretends to be someone else online to hurt them or make them look foolish.

Cyber-bullying can happen through text messages/pictures/video-clips/emails etc being sent to you, but also when these things are sent to others, about you.

Warwick Norman

Friendly Schools and Families Coordinator

Information Learning Technology

Visit to the Association for the Blind

Last week I had the opportunity to take two Year 4 boys, Alex Bateman and Stewart van Hoek, to visit the Association for the Blind.

The Association for the Blind has been narrating books for the vision impaired for the last 40 years. Their clients, both children and adults, enjoy listening to audio books as it gives them back the joys of reading (something many of us take for granted!)

The Association for the Blind were in desperate need of iPads as this allows the narration process to be less tedious and proves to be a very quiet process. Quite often their narrators are elderly and they find turning the pages on a book quite a challenge without creating any noise. iPads are a wonderful tool as there are no paper pages to turn, they can just load the book on the iPad! Using an iPad also saves a lot of photocopying as quite often they need two copies of the book for the narration process.

As Scotch College have gone 1:1 with our iPads this year, we had a few iPad 2's which we were able to donate. Alex and Stewart presented four iPads to the Association, toured the premises, and met a special guide dog. They were excellent ambassadors for the College.

Amanda Ritchie

ILT Coach

Physical Education News

On the 22 May our Year 4 boys competed in a JPSSA Hockey Carnival, which was held at Hale School. All the boys competed well, gave their best and showed fantastic sportsmanship, not only to each other but also to boys from the other schools. Our Year 4 boys should be congratulated on a fantastic day.

Our annual Inter-House Cross Country carnival will be held on Thursday June 5 here at the Scotch College Playing Fields. The day will involve all boys from Years 1 - 5 with the first event (Year 1) starting at 10.00am.

Jason Caniglia

Head of Junior School Physical Education

Junior School Resource Centre

Hello from the Library. This week I will share some strategies for parents to assist their children in their reading at home, particularly with regard to confidence and enjoyment. Below I have listed three types of 'modelled reading' recommended for the younger years:

Shared Reading (beginning readers): You read to your child and discuss various text features such as illustrations, headings and interesting words. Your child listens while appreciating the print and illustrations. Your child may connect to the visual or oral language, while building print awareness, and gradually gaining confidence.

Paired Reading (developing readers): You and your child read a text together. Your child takes over the reading alone in sections where they feel confident. They may devise a method of letting you know when they want to read independently (e.g. gently tapping you on the arm). For more difficult text you may take turns in reading sentences, paragraphs, or even pages of text - establish the rule before commencing, but ensure it is a 'positive sharing experience', not a 'forced learning experience'.

Choral Reading (stronger readers): Here you and your child read aloud in unison. You model fluency and expression. Your child hears patterns of language and develops sight word vocabulary. Poems for two voices, songs and simple scripts could be used. Mem Fox and Dr Seuss are perfect books for this style of reading. Don't be concerned about whether the vocabulary is too easy or not, it's more about developing voice and expression.

For the older years I recommend to you, the parents, that you read the books (or ebooks) your boys are reading. This will then allow for meaningful discussions and common interest points. Feel free to borrow and read some of the books below before recommending to your boys: Skellig, Hatchet, Darius Bell and the Glitter Pool, Frindle, Blueback, Specky Magee, The Cat Prince, Gregor the Overlander, A Series of Unfortunate Events, Scatterlings, Tomorrow When the War Began, Crow Country, or The Golden Door.

Warwick Norman

Junior School Teacher Librarian

Excellence Awards

The following awards will be announced at Assembly on Friday 6 June:

Year 1

Orlando Capobianco

Jarrod Hutchison

Tristan Ilse

Lachlan Kirkham

Yahya Sadek

Xavier Smith

Xavier Vanden Driesen

Year 2

Charlie Bowles

Tom Harris

Will Howie

Year 3

Derek Byrne

Jack Carroll

Joe Chegwidden

Kyle De Bruin

Marco Ghiselli

Matthew Graham

Tom Gray

Ryo Hiraiwa

Charles Hood

Campbell Houliston

Jude Lloyd Hudson

Daniel Kerfoot

Nic Langsford

Noah Lewis

Max Mackay-Coghill

Aidan Martin

Fletcher McIntosh

Nate Mooney

Elijah Pretorius

Oliver Seitchik

Harry Smith

Lucas Woolf

Year 5

Will Gagen

Sam Lodge

Alexander Melville

Ben Ramsden

Homework - what can be a life lesson for boys

From my experience Homework and School Uniform are the two topics most guaranteed to polarise a school community and generate conversation at parent meetings. Uniforms aside, I'd like to share an observation about a homework task last week. Homework as a much grumbled about entity has been around for generations of students, and parents. If homework were a pure science, like mixing paint for example, we'd have an answer on how much a student of a certain age or year level should be doing each night. Unfortunately it is not. Whilst generalisations are frequently made, homework can be as individual as the number of students in a school. Widely accepted though is the notion that homework is about maintaining or improving skills and knowledge that can then be put back into the classroom or a learning setting, much like sports training prepares the player for a game. Like most things there are facts and nuances, or tangibles and intangibles.

Last week I chatted with a Year 6 student who sat beside his family tree project and with great pride detailed the dimensions of his family, as he now knew it, and how he'd put his project together. It was obvious this student had received help, from his dad as it turned out. Whilst the extended knowledge of his family tree was an obvious outcome, so too was the unstated realisation and appreciation that his father was prepared to sit with him, show an interest and talk about his work, setting aside his 'dad' tasks for an hour each night over a week to be with him. It isn't one of the big measures of a homework routine however it is one of the subtleties, an intangible. This boy demonstrated to me as he sat beside his project, a greater confidence and willingness in being able to turn to his dad for help. He knows that he may not get all the answers each night, but he will certainly get the time, support and maybe some helpful strategies from his family. Unfortunately this outcome will not be graded on the assessment rubric for the Family Tree project however it will feature on the bigger assessment piece.

New Norica

Reverend Wright and Madame Tierney and nine lucky boys returned from our first ever Spirituality and Service Tour to New Norcia held last weekend. Staying at the Benedictine Mission the boys met with the nine resident monks, toured the monastery precincts and in glorious winter weather worked in the garden and orchards. Highlights of the trip being High Mass in a packed Chapel with all of the bells and smells of this ceremony and the old favourite, Spotlight on the Friday evening. Look for this tour being offered next year and the possibility of a parallel tour for parents interested in spending the weekend at New Norcia as well.

Music Camp

The Middle School Music Camp is being held this week, over Tuesday and Wednesday at school. In previous years the camp, designed to be an intensive rehearsal period for the Autumn Concert has been held off site. This new arrangement maximises rehearsal time with boys being released from class for their ensembles and groups and returning to class afterwards. A highlight this year is the percussion workshop Bash the Bins. The Autumn Concert will be held Friday 20 June in the Dickinson Centre commencing at 6.30pm.

Inter-House Cross Country Carnival

Our Inter-House Cross Country event will be held this Thursday afternoon with the Year 6 race commencing at 2.00pm, followed by the Year 7 race at 2.30pm. The Cross Country event begins and finishes on the oval in front of the Gooch Pavilion with the circuit taking the runners around the edge of Lake Claremont, through the bush of Driveway Hill, back down through Cresswell Oval then home. Year 6 and 7 boys run a 2.5km course. The race is a Blue Chip timed event with every runner scoring points for their House. The House with the lowest number of points is the winner of the event.

Work Share and Year 7 Information Session

The Middle School student led work share is scheduled for Thursday July 3 from 8.00am-9.00am. Typically the work share will run for approximately 20 minutes as your son talks you through his working environment, curriculum areas and samples of his work.

Following this will be a 40 minute information session for Year 7 parents on how our inaugural Year 8 will look for 2015. This session hosted by the Head of Middle School will be held in MacKellar Hall. This session will be repeated on Tuesday 29 July at 6pm. Information about Year 8 uniforms, Arts and Design Technology subject selections, Camps and Outdoor Education, Houses and Sport will be featured.

Year 7 International Immersion Week

Immersion Week is the last week of Winter Term, 22 - 26 September. During this week we close down the regular Year 7 timetable and offer the boys a week long immersion opportunity in one of the following activities.

1. Singapore Tour, places on this tour have now closed.
2. Singapore @ School Tour, a parallel tour that explores the history, culture and contemporary issues of life in Singapore and Asia. No Cost
3. French Immersion Week, 5 days of French speaking activities. Cost $75.00
4. Indonesian Immersion Week, 5 days of Indonesian speaking activities. Cost $75.00

Richard Ledger

Head of Middle School

Middle School Cross Country Carnival

Our annual Scotch College Middle School Cross Country Carnival will be held here at Scotch on Thursday 5 June with the Middle School events commencing at 2pm. All boys in Year 6 and 7 will be required to run the 2.5km course. Boys are permitted to wear their sports uniform with their House shirt to school on this day. This year we will be utilising a timing chip system that will mean that every boy will record points for their house no matter where they place.

Presentations will take place at 3:15pm following which the boys may go home. Boys are welcome to train at running club and will go through the course in PE lessons leading up to the event. A copy of the programme can be found here

Lawrence Felgate

Middle School Sport

Macs in the Middle School

The Macbook Air is a fantastic device that puts almost anything in the reach of our boys. In school we encourage the students to close the applications and websites that are not required for the specified task, so as to limit the potential distractions from the task at hand. The boys are still learning to manage their workflow so it is important that they receive guidance on prioritising their work and understanding the expectations of their teacher. I would encourage parents to offer a similar support at home by positioning your son in the shared living space, so he is in the open while he works on his laptop. You will be able to easily assist your son or guide him in the right direction when necessary.

Boys need to have a daily routine whereby their laptop is charged ready for the next day and is backed up at least twice a week. Being organised is important to a successful learning experience using laptop technology. Boys and parents are welcome to visit 1˚ North in the Middle School Library to chat with myself or one of our coaches who can help with any ILT matters.

Jared Faint

Middle School ILT Coach

UnitingCare West Winter Appeal

Scotch College Middle School is once again running its Winter Appeal together with UnitingCare West to help provide warmth to the thousands of homeless people in Perth. Donations of warm clothes, jackets, blankets, sleeping bags, scarves, etc may be handed in at the Middle School foyer up until the end of Week 9.

Mrs Pina Giglia

Community Service

Important Dates in Middle School Autumn Term

Discovering Family History in 6O

Over the past week, 6O has had an opportunity to delve into their own family history, as a part of this term's iLearn unit, Our Migration History. As a part of the unit, students were required to research their history by interviewing family members, accessing historical records and conducting online investigations. Using this information, boys constructed their own family tree, tracing their lineage back as far as they could, some tracing their direct family line into the 16^th century! Boys uncovered many interesting and unique stories about their ancestors, ranging from tales of devious convicts to celebrated war heroes. Each member of 6O has put in a lot of hard work and determination to make their tree interesting, eye-catching and informative. Family trees will be on display in the Middle School building for most of this term if you are interested in coming in for a look.

Ms Lisa O'Toole

Teacher 6O

Assessment for Learning

Over the next week, parents of boys in Year 11 and Year 12 will receive their son's Semester 1 report. The reading of your son's report always brings with it an opportunity to discuss his progress, effort and goals for the coming semester. These opportunities are valuable and are not limited to the upcoming House Head meetings.

Following the recent Year 11 and 12 WACE examination period, many teachers have observed a student culture that focuses on the level of achievement. Students can often be heard saying, "What did I (you) get?" or receiving an assessment item back and focusing immediately on the result or the rank, understandably, however, then not taking time to establish how the result was generated. Of concern is when students submit assessment tasks with the same weaknesses as previous work. Not only were the students more interested in the grade than in the comments, the comments were not serving as intended - to improve learning.

When discussing your son's report, an examination result or an assignment, avoid just asking, "What mark did you get?" Rather, discuss elements of the assessment task that your son perceives to have performed well in and ask him to identify areas that may be improved in future efforts. By asking boys to reflect and make judgements about their work, learning is enhanced. The critical reference points for learning is your son's own prior work and the aspirations and goals for future learning, not how he compared to others in the class or cohort. We should be interested not only in evaluating how competent a student may be, but how competent he may become.

Rob McEwan

Boys' Achievements

Joshua Spadanuda (Year 8, Brisbane) was crowned U13 State Karate champion after winning a closely contested final bout. He will now represent the State team and compete in the National championships.

Alex Porter-Wilkinson (Year 8, Brisbane) has been selected in the WA State Swimming Team and will be competing in the National Schools Championships in Melbourne during July.

Brayden Panting (Year 11, Brisbane) who is co - Captain of the WA U18 Lacrosse team is now a National Champion as WA convincingly beat Victoria in the National tournament Grand Final over the Easter Break.

Lach Pethick (Year 12, Alexander) and Tom Prior (Year 11, Stuart) were selected in the Western Australian Under 18's Water Polo Team which competed in the Invitational National Tournament held at Challenge Stadium in the recent school holidays. The Western Australian team went through the Tournament undefeated and won the Gold Medal game against New South Wales 7-6 in a very tense final.

Mac Hanlin (Year 11, Stuart) will go to Melbourne representing WA in the National Debating competition.

New Colours - Volleyball

Will Stewart (Year 12, Stuart)

Year 9 Academic Excellence Awards

Year 10 Academic Excellence Awards

Youth Civics Leadership Day

On Monday, 12 May, two Year 10 boys, Alex Crump (Year 10, Shearer) and Drummond Orr (Year 10, Ferguson), attended the Youth Civics Leadership Day run by the Law Society of Western Australia. The students attended lectures on human rights issues and leadership, including a talk from Ms Priya Cooper, paralympian and world champion swimmer. At the conclusion of the day Alex and Drummond had the opportunity to meet with Western Australian Chief Justice the Honourable Wayne Martin AC, and speak with young lawyers about their profession.

David Kyle

Drama Department

Tickets are now on sale for this year's Senior School Production of 'White Flag Albert'. The cast, made up of boys in Year 11 and 12, have been rehearsing since the middle of Summer Term and are looking forward to bringing their show before an audience.

'White Flag Albert' follows the story of Albert, a shopkeeper down on his luck, stuck in the nowhere Australian town of Coleridge. We learn that Albert once wronged a young woman, Charlotte, who decides to seek closure for what she believes was the start of her emotional undoing. On return to her now derelict childhood home, she presents the townspeople with a seemingly unimaginable proposition: kill Albert in exchange for one billion pounds. As the story unfolds the town begins a period of restoration - is Albert becoming paranoid or will the mob agree to send him to his grave?

The season opens on Wednesday 11 June at 7.00pm in the Scotch College Dickinson Centre. Shows continue on Thursday 12, Friday 13 and Saturday 14 June at 7.00pm. There is an additional matinee performance on Saturday 14 June at 2.00pm.

Tickets are $17.50/$22.50 and are available for purchase by clicking on the 'book a Scotch College event' icon at: www.scotch.wa.edu.au.

Any ticketing enquiries please contact Debbie Lee: dlee@scotch.wa.edu.au.

Kathryn Shaw

Head of Drama

Stress and Anxiety Management for Students in Years 10-12

A four week Stress and Anxiety Management course is being offered to senior students beginning in June. Flavia Bises, from Integral Psychology Services, will teach simple techniques to relax quickly, make the mind calm, clear and focused. The course emphasises the value of relaxing a little, many times a day to maintain a sense of inner balance and mental control. The course is after school on Wednesdays, 11, 18 and 25 June and 2 July. Numbers are strictly limited and the cost is $40. To register, please contact Ms Cherie FitzGibbon at the Residence Tel: (08) 9383 6871, Email: fitzca@scotch.wa.edu.au.

Important Rowing Dates in Spring Term

Albany Rowing Camp

Thursday 9 October - Monday 13 October 2014

A camp for Year 11 and 12 boys (as per Spring term) will be held again in Albany. This is a valuable preparatory camp - more information to follow in August. The camp is held in the latter part of the October holidays.

Rowing Tour to South Australia

Wednesday 3 December - Thursday 11 December, 2014

The Tour will be open to boys in Years 11 and 12 (as per Spring term). We will journey to Berri on the River Murray to compete at a 2 day combined Club/School regatta. There will also be a training camp, and time spent in Adelaide. Expressions of interest are now open and should have been received by parents in late May.

I would be pleased to answer any questions parents may have.

Grant Ford

Head of Rowing

Mega City Tour 2014

By Martin Berry (Year 10, Ross)

On April 6, a group of 10 Scotch boys led by Mr Hildebrandt and Mr Hales departed on the Megacity Tour. The tour would introduce us to the magnificent cities of Hong Kong, San Francisco and New York. The aim of the tour was to complement the WACE and IB Geography courses, specifically in the areas of natural hazards (earthquakes) and sustainable urban planning and design. The tour was the second of its kind.

In San Francisco, my personal highlights included the tour of Alcatraz and the day we spent cycling around San Francisco, identifying areas of urban renewal. I really enjoyed Alcatraz because not only was the weather spectacular, the audio tour of Alcatraz was very interesting and informative. Despite not being able to hire an electronic bike, the journey around San Francisco and cycling over the Golden Gate Bridge was amazing.

Whilst in San Francisco I experienced my first baseball game. Unfortunately, the San Francisco Giants lost but this did not dampen the mood of the group as the atmosphere had been superb and all the fans were really friendly and keen to fill us in on the finer details of the game. The next day we visited the majestic Yosemite National Park.

New York! New York! is a wonderful town. In New York we visited Soho and Williamsburg, discussing gentrification and urban renewal. We paid our respects at the sight of Ground Zero, which was a memorable and moving event. You can't visit New York without hitting the shops and we undertook some retail therapy, thus helping the United States economy. Nikes were a popular choice.

In New York, we were fortunate enough to be able to watch a professional NBA basketball game. The game was very enjoyable with fast paced action and crazy shots. The atmosphere of the crowd was great and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

I would definitely recommend the Megacity Tour to all Scotch College boys. Not only was it a fabulous experience but also the friendships and memories will last a lifetime.

Careers Information

Peter Frusher, Careers Adviser

University Information

Meet Melbourne in Perth

Melbourne University will be holding an information evening in Perth at the Hyatt Regency on Thursday 19 June, 2014 from 6.30pm -8.00pm. This is a very useful information session if your son is considering studying at Melbourne University in 2015.

Information for prospective students and parents will cover:

• University of Melbourne courses
• Housing
• Scholarships
• Ways to enrich your Melbourne degree

Curtin University Parent Information Evenings

Year 10 Parent Information Evening from 5.00-7.30pm on Tuesday 10 June, 2014 at Curtin University, Bentley.

Year 12 Parent Information Evening from 5.30-7.00pm on Wednesday 11 June, 2014 Curtin University, Bentley.

These two events are intended to help demystify university preferences and the TISC process, you will have plenty of opportunities to speak with Curtin experts from admissions, scholarships, university support services, faculty and current students about their university experiences. To register, go to www.curtin.edu.au/pie.

Scholarships

The University of New South Wales Co-op Programme offers many lucrative scholarships across a broad range of study areas for students who may be interested in applying to UNSW. For more information, go to www.co-op.unsw.edu.au or see Mr Frusher at Scotch.

University of Western Australia

Information session for Year 10 and 11 students and their parents

Deciding what subjects to study in Year 11 and 12 can be a daunting process, particularly if you are not yet sure if university is the right pathway for your future goals. Monday 9 June 6.00pm and Tuesday 10 June 6.00pm (repeat session) both in the Social, Sciences Lecture Theatre at UWA. These information sessions will provide advice on UWA's courses, entry requirements and other helpful subject selection.

For more information go to www.uwa.edu.au.

UWA will be running 4 'A Day in the Life of' events in the July school holidays:

A Day in the Life of an Architecture Student, Wednesday 9 July 2014

A Day in the Life of a Chemistry Student, Thursday 10 July 2014

A Day in the Life of an Engineering Student, Tuesday 15 July 2014

A Day in the Life of a Business Student, Wednesday 16 July 2014

The applications for the July events are now open. Please apply via www.studyat.uwa.edu.au/about/events/DITL by completing the online application. All days are open to current Year 11 and 12 students, with the Engineering day also open to Year 10 students. There is no cost for students to participate in any of the events. However, places are limited and interested students must complete the online application.

Notre Dame University

A Course Information Evening will be held on Wednesday 4 June, 2014, an Expo at 5.30pm and presentation at 6.00pm. To be held at the university in the Drill Hall (ND 25) located on Mouat Street, Fremantle. RSVP: www.nd.edu.au/junecie.

For further information (08) 9433 0533 // future@nd.edu.au // www.nd.edu.au.

A Day in the Life of a Uni Student

Year 10, 11 and 12 students can experience a day in the life of a uni student at Notre Dame on Friday 18 July 2014. Registration, tours and refreshments from 9.30am - talk to current students, experience lectures and activities, go on a campus tour and have lunch with students and academic staff. RSVP 9433 0533 or future@nd.edu.au // www.nd.edu.au.

UMAT Registration

The final date for students to register to sit the UMAT for Medicine or Dentistry entry is Friday 6 June 2014. Any queries in regard to the UMAT may be directed to Mr Frusher at Scotch or email umat@acer.edu.au. The UMAT test date is Wednesday 30 July 2014.

Careers

Scotch College Combined Schools Careers Expo

This annual event will be happening again on Wednesday 18 June from 5.00pm - 7.30pm in the Dickinson Centre at Scotch College. Year 10, 11 and 12 students are invited to attend with their parents to gain valuable information regarding university courses, apprenticeships, TAFE courses and many other further study and career opportunities. More than 50 exhibitors will be attending.

Year 12 Information

WACE Examinations for Private Candidates

Any Year 11 or 12 student who is planning to sit a WACE examination this year as a Private Candidate needs to see Mr Frusher so that he can be enrolled with the Schools Curriculum and Standards Authority. Private Candidates are students who are studying subjects privately outside of Scotch College. This generally refers to students who are studying a second language but may include students studying other subjects that are not offered at Scotch College.

Year 12 Vocational Focus Breakfasts

In June 2014, Year 12 students will have the opportunity to have breakfast with Old Scotch Collegians who have studied and/or worked in areas that may be of interest to them in further studies and/or careers. A registration form was distributed to all students in Week 1, inviting them to select one or more breakfasts to attend. Registration for either of the final two breakfasts (Physiotherapy/Medicine/Sports Science) and (Law/Journalism) is still available. Please return your form to Mr Frusher.

Revision Courses

TEE Consultants will be conducting WACE Revision courses at UWA Monday 7 - Friday 11 July, 2014. Accommodation is also available for country students. Go to www.teeconsultants.com.au register and obtain more details.

Gap Year 2015

Lattitude Global Volunteering

Students who are interested in taking a GAP Year in 2015 are reminded that applications through Lattitude are still able to be made by registering at www.lattitude.org.au or contacting Mr Frusher at Scotch. Applications for 2015 close on Friday 20 June 2014 with interviews being conducted in Perth during July.

MOTHERS' AUXILARY

Year 11 Dance

Firstly, I would like to thank all the Year 11 Parents who helped with a very successful 'Après Ski Party' last Saturday night. Especially the hard working committee who put together a magical snow bound evening for the boys. I would also like to commend our Year 11 boys and their guests who enjoyed the evening with remarkable maturity. To see some of the preparations and the evening please go to the link below and enjoy photos taken by Scotch College parent René Greyling.

http://renegreyling.smugmug.com/2014/YR11-DANCE/

We are still seeking a Vice President. Please contact clairstanley@iinet.net.au if you can help.

For access to items in the MA Room and also the Red Shed please contact Clair Stanley on clairstanley@iinet.net.au. Please do not request access from the staff in Marketng and Development Office.

Upcoming Events:

Year 7 Parent Indian Buffet Dinner - Thursday 26 June, 2014 MacKellar Hall at 7pm

Tickets are $40 and available on the Scotch College website www.scotch.wa.edu.au by clicking on the 'Book a Scotch Event' icon.

Year 12 coffee morning at Bookcaffé Friday 27 June 2014.

Save the Date: Year 12 Parents

June 21-22 Year 11/12 Fathers' Sleepover at Moray

July 4 Year 12 Father/Son Breakfast in the Dickinson Centre

September 14-15 Year 12 Mothers' Sleepover at Moray

October 17 "March out" morning Tea 10.30am at the Gooch Pavilion

October 27 Year 12 "Thank you" morning tea in the Dining Annex 9.00am

November 28 Valedictory Dinner in the Dickinson Centre

Our next MA meeting is on Monday 9 June at the Gooch Pavilion .

We encourage Year or Class representatives to come along. The meetings are not only a great venue to meet parents of other Year groups and be informed of what your son will encounter in following years, but a great forum to raise questions, express concerns, and pass on compliments that you may be aware of regarding our School and the welfare of our boys. Please encourage new mums to our School to come along - a great way for them to feel welcome and connected to the Scotch Community.

We look forward to seeing you on Monday the 9th June.

Clair Stanley

President

Mothers' Auxiliary

Parents' Association

Year 11 Parents' Cocktail Function - Blue Duck. Friday 6 June 2014.

Bookings closed last week and we have had a great response thanks to the 84 Year 11 parents who booked tickets through the Scotch College website. It does make it easier to plan and organise a function when we receive a positive response by the RSVP date thereby providing numbers for catering to the restaurant. We look forward to seeing you all on Friday and having a great evening.

Dave Sones and Gordon Stewart

Parents' Association Year 11 Representatives

Year 9 Parents Cocktail Party - Cottesloe Golf Club, Friday 13 June 2014.

On behalf of the Parents' Association we would like to remind parents who would like to attend the Year 9 Parents' Cocktail Party at the Cottesloe Golf Club on Friday 13 June 2014 to purchase tickets through the School website www.scotch.wa.edu.au and click on the "Book a Scotch Event" icon. This event has already received over 70 acceptances. The evening will be wonderful opportunity to meet up with other parents. Please RSVP by this Friday 6 June.

Brian O'Donnell and Susan Kennerly

Parents' Association Year 9 Representatives.

Supporters of Football Cocktail Function - Cottesloe Surf Life Saving Club, Friday 20 June 2014

A Cocktail function for parents will be held at the Cottesloe Surf Life Saving Club, Marine Parade, Cottesloe from 7.00pm. To book your ticket, please visit the Scotch College website www.scotch.wa.edu.au and click on the 'Book a Scotch Event' icon prior to Friday 13 June.

Neale Fong and Ron Gajewski.

Michelle Barrow

President

Parents' Association

UnitingCare West Winter Appeal

Give Jeans a Chance has seen hundreds of jeans every year go to those most in need. On Wednesday, 25 June we will be hosting a morning tea at our Tranby Day Centre and giving people experiencing homelessness the opportunity to select some pairs of jeans for the cold winter months.

UnitingCare West will be collecting jeans of wearable quality, of all sizes (men's are the priority; however women's and children's sizes are also needed) until Friday 20 June. Donations can be dropped off to our Inner City Centre at 5/5 Aberdeen Street, East Perth, or you can contact us on 1300 663 298 or winter@unitingcarewest.org.au.