My reflection in this edition of the Thistle has a strong sporting theme given the events of the last fortnight.

When one reads the History of Scotch 'Building a Tradition' (1897-1996), there are many people, events and activities reflected upon and celebrated. When the next history of Scotch is recorded there will be many new stories of achievement and challenges; Saturday 21 March 2015 will be one of those duly recorded when for the first time in 25 Years, Scotch College won the Head of the River race which is the premier Rowing event.

What is more amazing and important to remember is that Saturday's victory should be viewed within a greater historical context. While it may seem hard to comprehend, the thinking and challenges faced in 1910 and the strategic thinking employed to achieve success in the 2015 Regatta are very similar. Jane Gregory captures this in the following extract:

From 1910 considerable attention was paid to improving training conditions for Scotch crews. Plans were made to erect a rowing shed in Freshwater Bay near the Osborne steps so that it would be easier for the boys to get to training and so that the college would no longer have to rely on the goodwill of the WA Rowing Club. Eights were introduced into the schools competition in 1912, and in that year a rowing camp was held. For ten days at Easter, the Scotch crews camped in tents upstream from Canning Bridge, so that they could adjust to their new boats, and in the following year Scotch won the Head of the River.

There is some great symmetry to the above story. Firstly, the College has developed concept plans to extend our current facilities in order to meet the growth in the programme and will work closely with the Goland Club to achieve this outcome. Secondly, in 2014 the Rowing club sought support from the College to assist them in the purchase of a rowing telemetry and instrumentation system to provide better analysis of each rower. This appeared a logical decision and as such the Boat Club moved into a new era of strategy in 2015 and won the Head of the River race. Having said this, facilities and technology will never deliver success without the commitment and passion of the individuals who comprise the Boat Shed.

I witnessed the crew at training on Thursday 12 March only two weeks before the Head of the River. I was singularly impressed by the boys' self-analysis of the training session and the way they held each other accountable for what in their eyes was an average row over the two kilometre training course. Furthermore, I believe we must never underestimate the role of Scotch's Second VIII in our 2015 success. These boys provided a challenge to the 1st VIII each and every time they were on the water.

Harry Sinclair, Ruan Greyling, Harry Ayers, Jonathan Ashby, Robert Packer, Daniel Wee, Lachlan Gibson, Chase Deitner and James Fox-Slater.

Please note: This photo was generously supplied free of charge by The West Australian for a one off use and cannot be reused or copied without their permission. For those interested this photo and the corresponding article can be found at: https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/a/26747953/scotch-the-toast-of-the-river/

Well done to everyone involved in the Rowing programme especially every boy, coach and parent who played their part in getting every boy and crew to perform at their personal best. In particular to Mr Grant Ford our Master in Charge of Rowing, Bill Hutton the 1st VIII coach and all of the parent support group lead by Mother of Captain of Boats, Jenny Sinclair and Mother of Vice Captain of Boats, Genevieve Cleary.

I would also like to acknowledge and congratulate the College's PSA Swimming team, coaches and parents for the outstanding effort on Thursday 12 March. While we finished sixth the most important statistic is that 91 boys achieved a personal best time in the swimming meet. This is an outstanding result as one of the five things we include in our College goals is for boys to aspire to personal excellence.

As this term draws to a rapid close I would like to return to an academic focus. The concept of personal best also applies to each and every time a boy steps into their class or works on an assessment. This pertains to all of our sub-schools. It is the culmination of working towards one's personal best that produces outcomes we may never have thought possible. Sheryl Sandberg the author of "Lean In" captures the important role of self in the following quote:

We can each define ambition and progress for ourselves. The goal is to work toward a world where expectations are not set by the stereotypes that hold us back, but by our personal passion, talents and interests.

Have a great fortnight

Dr Alec O'Connell

Headmaster

Online Literacy and Numeracy Assessment at Scotch

Students in Years 10 and 11 have, over the last two weeks, participated in a series of assessments entitled the Online Literacy and Numeracy Assessments (OLNA). These assessments are designed to allow students to demonstrate a minimum standard of literacy and numeracy and therefore qualify to graduate under the new guidelines for WACE graduation in 2016.

Students who are currently in Year 12 and due to graduate in 2015 do not have to meet the OLNA requirements. This process will not apply to this year group.

Many students pre-qualified by reaching band 8 or higher in the Year 9 NAPLAN reading, writing and numeracy assessments. The requirement to meet the minimum standard of literacy and numeracy for graduation is applied to all schools in Western Australia by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA).

The three assessments occur online and focus on reading, writing and numeracy. The reading and numeracy section is multiple choice and the writing is a extended response piece of around 600 words. Students who are unsuccessful in any of the three assessments will have further opportunities in Years 10, 11 and 12 to meet the standard.

As well as ongoing education since Year 9, a selection of English and Mathematics staff are working with students to support them through the assessments. The College is providing students with examples of the assessments and working with them to develop strategies to meet the standard required. Students who are required to sit the assessments in Years 11 and 12 will receive specific guidance from the Academic Support Team.

Further information on the nature of OLNA can be found here:

http://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/Senior_Secondary/OLNA

Ms Debbie Lee, Head of Learning Analytics, is the staff member who is coordinating the OLNA assessments and any queries can be directed to her in the first instance.

The results for the current round of assessments will be made available by the SCSA in May and parents will receive notification of the outcome from the College.

We are committed to helping all students meet the standard required and encourage parents to contact us if they are concerned about their son's progress through the assessments.

Mr Peter Allen

Director of Teaching and Learning

Community and Service

The Naturalist Club Event

From time to time the College is approached to support various charities and community groups and often this results in a partnership through fundraising of direct action by boys. One such approach was made by the Naturalist Club in WA - one of the oldest conservation groups in Australia. The Club is holding its annual Serventy Memorial Lecture on Wednesday March 25 at the Social Science Lecture Theatre, UWA, at 7.30pm. The guest speaker is a well known natural history educator - the 'Birdman' - Eric McCrum OAM.

Round Square World Conference

Year 11 boys are invited to apply to attend the 2015 Round Square International Conference. This will be hosted by the United World College of South East Asia in Singapore in October. As a Regional Member of Round Square we can bring four Scotch boys to join the over 1000 delegates who are expected to attend from Round Square schools around the world. The theme of the conference is 'Act Today, Change Tomorrow'. Boys who are interested should complete the Application Form.

Human Rights Arts and Film Festival

Work has begun on the planning of the inaugural Human Rights Arts and Film Festival (HRAFF) to be held on the Middle School Campus on June 28. This event is in partnership with the Melbourne HRAFF organization. Short and feature length films on Human Rights issues will be screened in three sessions in MacKellar Hall in the afternoon. One of the viewings will be followed by a Q&A discussion with a panel of experts in the area of Human Rights. In other venues within the Middle School campus displays and stalls will be set up highlighting human rights issues and the work of various agencies.

While this HRAFF is intended for Year 11 and 12 students from Scotch and other invited schools, the displays will be available to other students and the wider community in the week following the event. If you would like to contribute in any to this event, please contact Bill Cordner. jwcordner@scotch.wa.edu.au.

The Matipwili Trade Training Centre

Work has continued on the construction of the Trade Training Centre (TTC) in Matipwili Village in Tanzania. Once completed, and staffed by teachers guaranteed by the government of Tanzania, this facility will provide more learning opportunities for the community in this remote rural village. Scotch College and Presbyterian Ladies College have been partnered with the community since 2004 with successive service trips working to renovate classroom in the primary school and construct various additional facilities including a Library and Resource Centre housing over 30 solar-powered computers. The TTC was designed by architects from Perth and Adelaide in collaboration with the village community during a visit the Matipwili in 2013.

The Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has provided a grant of Aus$30,000 towards the construction of the TTC. Students and parents on the last Tanzania Expedition also contributed to the construction costs through fundraising and donations. More funds are needed and there will be ongoing fundraising efforts as successive groups prepare for the trip across to Tanzania.

In July this year another delegation of architects and teachers will journey to Matipwili to provide further support to the community as the construction continues. This self-funded group representing Scotch, PLC and CEFPI - the Council of Educational Facility Planners International - will work on some of the more technical aspects of the build as well as continue to deepen our friendship with the people of Matipwili.

The recently completed TTC slab with underground water tank beneath.

Mr Bill Cordner

Director of Community and Service

Parenting Ideas

To further support the Scotch community, the College continues to subscribe to Parentingideas, a leading provider of parenting education resources to Australian schools. Scotch parents can access parenting advice on a wide range of topics and themes such as;

Life skills for children

Kids, school and learning

Social challenges and

Children and behaviour.

follow the link to access the Parenting Ideas Magazine.

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

Also have a look at the attached article - Helping kids deal with rejection.

Ms Shauna Lipscombe

Senior School Psychologist

Music Department

As we progress into the last couple of weeks of term a variety of performances are being held. The Jazz Combo recently performed at the Year 12 Ball and again at the Men's Shed in Mosman Park - a way that Music can be involved in the community. The Studio Orchestra also performed magnificently for the wider Scotch College community as part of Open Day in the Dickinson Centre to welcome prospective families onto the campus to see "Scotch in action".

On Friday at the Senior School Assembly the musicians in the Combined Symphony Orchestra performed the processional, recessional, and a hymn together with their performance item "Pirates of the Caribbean". A great opportunity for this group to perform to peers and families, and a fantastic 'warm-up' for their Saturday performance on 21 March, as guests of PLC at the Quarry Amphitheatre on Reabold Hill. The boys who work with their PLC counterparts as part of the Combined Vocal Ensemble are also performing at this lovely Proms Concert.

The Perth Symphony Orchestra rehearsed in the Dickinson Centre on Friday 6 March to the delight of many students and staff as the guest musicians were Bryn Terfel (world-famous Welsh Baritone), Rachelle Durkin (Australian Soprano now working in America) and Lisa McCune (TV and Musical Theatre actress). A fantastic open rehearsal took place over many hours followed by the sensational performance at the magnificent Leeuwin Estate on the Saturday evening. The last day of term (2 April) will see the Perth Symphony Orchestra back on the Dickinson Centre stage again rehearsing for their upcoming performance at Sandalford Estate with two very important guests. Check out the Sandalford Estate webpage for the details of these amazing musicians coming to rehearse at Scotch College.

One further exciting event coming to Scotch College in the last week of term is renown musician and TV personality Jonathon Welch. He will be joining the Scotch College community for a day, beginning his time at Scotch with a massed choir rehearsal, details below. He will be concluding his visit with an evening talk, please click here to see the flyer and further details can be found below under the Parents Association.

Some upcoming dates for your diary:

Upcoming Dates

30 March, 8.30am, selected vocalists from Years 3 - 12 rehearse with guest conductor Jonathan Welch from the "Choir of Hard Knocks" in massed vocal ensemble in the Dickinson Centre

11 April, Scotch Youth Voices and selected instrumentalists perform in CBD at opening of Youth Week

12 April, Scotch Youth Voices and selected instrumentalists perform with Andrew Winton at Fairbridge Folk Festival

Music Scholarships are available for those boys entering Year 7 next year. Students wishing to apply for a Music Scholarship for Year 7 2016 are required to register to the Head of Music via Music Administration. Applicants will not be considered unless they have participated in the Music Audition process to be held on Saturday, 9 May 2015. Students wishing to apply for a Music Scholarship are not required to sit the Academic testing. Enquires for Music Scholarships can be emailed to music@scotch.wa.edu.au.

Supporting the musical activities is Friends of Scotch Music (FOSM) a group of parents who enthusiastically support the work of boys and staff in the Music Department. 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.

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.

Mr David Coughlan

Head of Music

Uniform Shop

Buying Uniform Online

Uniform can be purchased online at the Flexischools website. All orders processed online can be picked up from the Uniform Shop on the following Tuesday afternoon, or can be posted to you. If you are already using Flexischools for canteen orders, you will notice that uniforms are also available for purchase. If you need details on setting up Flexischools access, please email the uniform shop for further information: uniform@scotch.wa.edu.au.

Uniform Shop - Opening Hours for Winter Uniform Changeover

No appointments are necessary. The Uniform Shop will be open extra hours over and above the normal opening times, as follows.

Summer Term Extra Opening Hours

Holiday Opening Days

9.00am - 4.00pm (lunch noon - 1.00pm)

16 April, Thursday

17 April, Friday

20 April, Monday

Boys need to be in winter uniform on Tuesday, 21 April (start of Autumn Term).

Reading to your Child: The Benefits of Time Well Spent

I realise that in the busy life of families finding time for that quality engagement with your son to assist his learning and enjoyment can prove difficult at times. Selecting how that quality time will be spent can be another challenge.

I often speak about the partnership between parents and teachers in the education of a boy. As a parent, you have the power to boost your son's learning potential simply by making books an integral part of his life. The benefits of reading to your child are widely known and have a significant impact on a child's long-term development.

In 2013 the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research published a study entitled 'Reading to young children: A head start to life?' They examined the effect between the frequency of reading to a child and his or her development. Their results confirmed what parents and teachers have known for very long. Reading to your child benefits them in a significant range of areas.

The study indicated that cognitive skills are not fixed but are influenced by preschool training, education at school, but also reading with their parents. They found that parents can play an important role in the development of reading skills and cognitive skills of their children by reading to them at a young age. They found that reading to children at age 4 to 5 frequently has significant positive effects on the reading skills and cognitive skills of children at least up to an age of ten to eleven. For boys the effect of being read to increases with age. Nevertheless, for a wide range of skill measures they found that being read to at a young age has positive effects.

Children four to five years old who are read to three to five times a week have the same reading ability as children six months older (who are read to only twice or less a week).

Reading to children six to seven days a week puts them almost a year ahead of those who are not being read to. It was also found that reading to small children has a positive effect on the development of numeracy skills.

What are the implications of their findings? Their main finding is that it is important that young children are being read to. This is an early-life intervention that seems to be beneficial for the rest of their lives. They show that there is an important role for parents in the educational performance of their children. The evidence strongly suggests that parental reading to children gives them a head start in life.

The benefits of reading to your child each night is far reaching and goes way beyond a shared bonding experience. It can assist in the development of key cognitive skills and have a significant impact on academic success and enjoyment at school. These impact far beyond the first few years of schooling. Reading to your child will help with their oral narrative skills. It assists in their ability to retell stories with focus on literate features such as sequencing information, story structure, referencing, specific vocabulary, maintenance of past tense, use of complex connectors, and inclusion of character intentions and feelings etc. The mastery of oral narrative skills is essential and a pre-requisite for written language competency.

In short, reading with your child helps them with their language development. Their ability to tell a story, to form correct sentences, to use correct tense, to follow events, these are all impacted significantly by being read to. It links to writing and reading skills and it is fun! Regardless of how old your son is, curl up together and read to him. You will both enjoy it and it will help him to learn.

Melbourne Institute Working Paper Series, Working Paper No. 17/13, Reading to Young Children: A Head-Start in Life?, Guyonne Kalb and Jan C. van Ours, May 2013

Mr John Stewart

Head of Junior School

Important Dates to Remember

Art News

It started with Fabulous Fleur and a slab.

After working for hours, the results were just fab!

Giving ourselves new names for the day - meet Pablo, I mean meet Trevor!

Awesome James showed patterns and cutting from templates and this was really quite clever

Joe Joe Jacky shows slip and scoring techniques, whilst adding the textures with tools

Alex uses Nutino... just tricking, Clay and water makes slip, that's the rules!

We started to stack up the sections, creating a tall lighthouse

We learnt about types of sculptures, down at Cott Beach which was grouse!

Two different ceramicists, Fleur and Danika inspired

And taught us so much, like how sculptures are fired.

A few stripes, windows, a pipe or a tower

And 6 hours later …we were feeling empowered!

Unbelievable effort and we are only half way there. Next is the bisque firing and then back to Scotch College where we will do all the assembling, adding flotsam and jetsam we are collecting over the holidays.

Finally we will present our 4D lighthouse sculptures, complete with a lighting circuit.

The key to our success has been boys being engaged, independent, curious, respectful and willing to explore and take risks.

I would like to acknowledge and thank the Scotch Parents Association for their support of this project.

Ms Karen Sabitay

PYP Visual Arts

Performing Arts News

Our amazing Year 2 boys have been immersed in activities with a focus on listening, singing, moving and playing percussion instruments. One of our objectives has been to practice keeping a steady beat, either individually or as part of a group. This happens to be a lot harder to do than it sounds! We've found that while we have to really concentrate on our own listening, playing or moving, we also have to keep an ear out for what our classmates are doing. We found that if our dynamics go up, we automatically want to increase the tempo! When we perform songs on the glockenspiels we also have to focus on playing with the correct technique as well as incorporating all of the other musical elements.

Ms Phebe Samson

Performing Arts Teacher

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. MySpace, Facebook; MSN 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.

Mr Warwick Norman

Friendly Schools and Families Coordinator

French News

Bonjour! The Year 1 class has been working hard in French in order to learn French greetings, numbers from 1 to 10 and colours. We have been playing great educational games and even had a little friendly competition between the 2 classes. We will now be learning about family vocabulary in French, in order to create links to the unit of inquiry "Who we are". The boys will be filmed while being questioned about their siblings by a classmate.

Madame Edwards

French Specialist

Physical Education News

The Scotch boys have been hard at work and play in Health and Physical Education over the past few weeks. The little ones in Year 1 & 2 have been enjoying their time in the pool during the hot summer weeks we've recently had. The before school swim squads continue to be a success with our boys and a big thank you must go to Deb Jones and her team who run a fantastic programme before school on Wednesday and Friday. This was evidenced in Scotch's fine performance at the recent JPSSA Inter-School Swimming Carnival where Scotch placed a credible 3rd. As the summer term draws to a close we focus on cementing our gymnastics and fundamental movement skills in the older years, whilst our younger boys participate in the learn to swim programme.

Mr Scott Whiston

Head of Junior School Physical Education

2015 Easter Egg Decorating Competition Rules

It's time to decorate those eggs or design that digital poster that reflects what 'Easter means to you'.

There will be four themes to choose from when planning the design of your egg or poster. The categories are: Sacrifice, Artistic, Fun & Pun, and New Beginnings.

Your display can be presented as a painted or dyed egg, a diorama that is no larger than a shoebox or as a digital poster or short movie.

All entries open at 8.00am on Monday 30 March and close at 3.30pm on Wednesday 1 April.

Every display needs to have a paper or cardboard plaque attached that includes the name of the artist, their home class, the theme they have chosen and a heading or statement about what Easter means to them. These are to be no larger than 10cm by 20cm in size.

The 'Egg Spurt' will then be invited to judge the displays and all participants will win a standard chocolate Easter Egg, whilst Year and Theme group winners will receive a large Easter Egg.

Mr Warwick Norman

Junior School Teacher Librarian

IB Asia Pacific Conference 2015

Each year the IB, Asia Pacific, hosts an Annual Conference. It is an opportunity for educational leaders from IB schools to come together to share best practices, extend thinking and gain global perspectives. All participants at the conference have a shared philosophical vision of education, as reflected in the IB mission statement and the mission and vision of Scotch College.

A sample of the keynote speakers at this year's event were:

• Julia Gillard, ex Prime Minister and once Minister for Education in Australia. Julia spoke about the parallels and differences on achieving a quality education for all, and the role the IB has had on driving global achievement.

• Dr Michael Anderson, Professor of Education (Arts and Creativity), University of Sydney. In his presentation, Michael outlined some structures and approaches that support schools in making creativity central to learning.

In addition to the keynote speakers there were a wide range of sessions lead by IB staff and practitioners from around the globe. Topics such as 'developing a collaborative culture within a professional learning community', 'developing creative leadership in learning', 'art, iPads and the creative process', and 'ongoing feedback for learning'.

Scotch College has a focus on ongoing professional development for all staff members, this is integral to the teaching and learning process.

Ms Kathy Derrick

Deputy Head of Junior School - Curriculum

News 2W

Term 1 has been a whirlwind of activity with Year 2W boys immersing themselves into their inquiry about Who We Are. They have collaborated in pairs, groups and also worked individually to explore their strengths and weaknesses. They completed an online survey that highlighted their multiple intelligences and the results demonstrated what a diverse group we are.

All of this insight helped them to understand and reflect upon what career may suit them; some parents may be surprised by the results as we have concert pianists, Hollywood actors, inventors and sporting legends in our midst! Appreciating our similarities and differences has also helped us to make connections and build friendships with new people. All in all, it is a great way to start the new school year.

Mrs Alison Webster

Teacher

Head of Middle School

As we head to the end of Summer Term, arguably the most 'wide-eyed' term of the year, particularly for our 270 new boys, is the chance to say thank you and reflect on what has been a busy term. The Year 6 boys completed the first half of their Outdoor Education Programme in the surf at Scarborough at the start of the term and the last of our Year 7 Moray Expeditions departed this week. To round off the Outdoor Education element, next week the Year 8 Boarders commence the first of their extended Bibbulmun Track walks that will culminate in Year 12 with the completion of a 1003km journey. Summer sport fixtures have been run, together with a significant swimming season. Parent Information Evenings, Open Day and a fortnight of Parent/Teacher Interviews have helped fill any gaps and we still have the Middle School Drama Production to come! From a curriculum perspective most subject areas will have begun assessments that will lead toward mid-year reporting and with this an increased understanding of MYP criteria and the increased expectations of work standards and subject methodologies. For me one of the unexpected highlights was the visit by blind guitarist Lorin Nicholson who's performance was the telling of his story as young boy growing up to not allow his failing eyesight prevent him from doing big things. His story about cycling from Tamworth across the Blue Mountains to the ocean was both moving and inspiring.

Thankyou for your support this term, there has been a lot to do and say to get this year up and running. I look forward to seeing you on the sidelines during Winter sport or at Friday Assembly next term. Autumn Term and the Winter Sport season commences on Tuesday 21 April.

Have a happy and safe Easter!

Mr Richard Ledger

Head of Middle School

Knowing the Boy in 8A

The great aspect about being in the Middle School is walking through the building and noticing how different all of the classrooms are and seeing so many happy students. We, of 8A, want to share with you what makes us a Homeroom community.

Question Ball: This is a beach ball with questions written all over it that we pass around the room answering the questions and learning random facts about each other.

Birthday Celebrations: We acknowledge the class birthdays once a month with a treat - usually of the chocolate variety!

BMO: This is our class plant that sits in a robot pot and watches us each day.

Show, Tell and Review: Once a week a couple of students volunteer to teach us something and we write a paragraph to review and reflect on what we have learnt. So far we have learnt about WWII, Super Nintendo, a South Korean ancestral building and top surf spots in Indonesia.

Cushions: We have an array of cushions which are shared around each lesson and there is a special cushion with 'reserved' written on it which is given as a reward to a different student each day.

Flags: The 16 flags are the newest additions to our classroom; representing the wide range of backgrounds that make up the community of 8A.

Knowing every boy as an individual is an important part of every day. The students of 8A have been working hard this term to form a strong, inclusive and accepting community.

Mrs Sian Angel

Teacher 8A

Dodgy Ideas Make Big Bucks in 7K!

At the beginning of the term the 7K class were given the task of considering ideas to raise money for The World's Greatest Shave. With great enthusiasm, Max Shervington raised his hand to suggest the idea of a dodge ball tournament. A class vote was held and there was overwhelming support for his idea. A class committee was formed and plans put in place to advertise and attract as many boys as possible.

A stand was set up where boys could register teams of three for a gold coin donation and these were combined to make teams of 6. Once all teams were formed, a round robin competition was organised by the committee. A tournament spanning two weeks of lunch times and recess was publicised on the sports board. The dedicated committee gave up their lunch time and recess to oversee the smooth running of the tournament.

The games were enormously successful with boys participating as well as spectating. The final was held last Friday at recess and attracted quite a crowd.

Who would have thought that a game of dodge ball could raise $213.50?

A huge success!

Be Brave and Shave!

Mrs Karen Woods

Teacher 7K

Excellence Awards

These awards were presented at the last week's Middle School Assembly:

Student Achievements

Congratulations to Luca La Ferla (8.4C) and Gaincarlo Kain (7.8M) who have been selected to compete at the National Clubs' Water Polo Championships in the U14 division on the Gold Coast in April.

Important Dates in Middle School Summer Term

Staff Achievements

Congratulations to Peter Tresise who has been selected to be Coach of this year's State School Boys Water Polo Team that will compete in Sydney later this year.

Leukaemia Foundation's World's Greatest Shave

Each term Middle School decides on a significant charity or service organisation to support, to raise our awareness and responsibility to the community. This is a consistent theme right across the three Baccalaureate programmes. We run a Community Service Club every week in Middle School and this group, with different membership every term, maintains the public profile of community service and encourages effort on this front. You will have noted the number of fundraising activities going on in school at the moment: soccer competitions, Noodle Cups, basketball competitions and so on. One area we are continually trying to encourage is that community service doesn't need to be an at school activity. We are encouraging boys to take on something in their own home or neighbourhood: i.e. lawn mowing, playing an instrument at church, helping a neighbour put out green waste for verge collection or chores at home. With this approach it is not just the Leukaemia Foundation that receives our assistance, but a multitude of others. The big winner though is the growing attitude or understanding that service is a part of our daily lives and not something undertaken at school between 8.30am - 3.30pm. Boys who enjoy this aspect of life may also enjoy completing the Duke of Edinburg Award once they reach Senior School.

Having waited 25 years to hold the Challenge Cup (Head of the River), the Scotch College First VIII rowers raised the trophy after winning an exciting and hard fought race. Congratulations to all of the boys in the Boat Shed, Grant Ford Director of Rowing, Bill Hutton, coach of the First VIII and all coaches together with a formidable army of parent supporters.

The longer you wait for something you really want the more you appreciate it when it finally arrives. There were a lot of very appreciative (emotional, excited and proud) people in Maroon and Gold standing on the banks of Champion Lakes last Saturday.

All boys in the Boat Shed did the College proud on and out of the water with acts of determination, support for each other and a spirit for the College that bonds them together.

I have no doubt that the qualities of discipline, commitment and teamwork exhibited by all the boys in the Boat Shed throughout the season will serve them well into the future. Well done to all in the Scotch College Boat Shed.

As we approach the final weeks of Summer Term, I thank all boys and staff for their efforts in what has been a busy and rewarding term. Highlights have included the commissioning of a reconciliation mural; a night to remember for all present at the Year 12 Ball; numerous individual highlights at the PSA Interschool Swimming Championships; Year 12 boarders completing their 1003 kilometre journey along the Bibbulmun track; and Associate Professor Kevin Pfleger addressing high achieving Year 12 boys at the Reward Breakfast.

With the start of Autumn Term marking the commencement of Semester 2, I encourage all boys in Years 9, 11 and 12 to embrace feedback provided at recent Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews. End of semester reports for boys in Years 9 and 10 will be posted during the holiday period. I urge all boys to use the feedback provided to reflect on their studies to date and set new goals for the commencement of next term.

I wish all families a Happy Easter and a refreshing break at the end of this term.

Dr Rob McEwan

Head of Senior School

Boys' Achievements

Grant Szalek (Year 12, Ross ) won the Silver Medal in Under 18 High Jump at the National Championships with a jump of 2.09m (a world youth qualifying height), and he also received a Bronze medal in the U20's with a height of 2.06m. Grant is now in the running to be 1 of 13 boys selected across all Athletics events for Commonwealth Youths in Samoa, 5 - 12 September 2015.

Sean Szalek (Year 10, Ross) won the Gold Medal in the Under 16 High Jump at the National Championships with a jump of 2.0m.

Jordan Doull (Year 11, Alexander) has been selected for a 10 man School Boy State Golf Squad by Golf WA.

Thomas Prior (Year 12, Stuart) has been selected in the 20 and Under State Water Polo Squad to represent Western Australia at the National Carnival at Sydney Olympic Park in May 2015.

Mac Hanlin (Year 12, Stuart) has been selected to represent WA at the 2015 National Schools Debating Championship in Adelaide later this year.

Bailey Banfield (Year 12, Cameron),Oliver Heath (Year 12, Cameron) and William Goyder (Year 12, Ross) have each made it through to the district final of the Lions Youth of the Year Speech and Leadership competition, being the overall winner for their respective clubs: Perth City, North Beach and Claremont/Nedlands.

The district competition will be held on Saturday, 28 March.

National Computer Science School (NCSS) Challenge

The University of NSW has been running a programming competition for secondary school students in Australia for the last nine years. This competition, known as the NCSS competition has excellent standing amongst people in the field and is hence sponsored by Google, WiseTech and Optus to name a few. This is our third year participating in the competition and we have had an outstanding result in 2014. For the first time, we have had successful entries in the advanced and intermediate categories. Almost all of the boys completed the competition successfully with many receiving a merit, credit or distinction award. We congratulate all those boys for their fantastic effort. There were six awards for boys who received a high distinction or perfect score in their category.

Unwell Students

Under no circumstance is a boy to make his own arrangements to have a parent collect him if he is feeling unwell. A boy who is taken ill or injured during the day should report to Student Services who will if necessary send him to the Health Centre, where any further necessary action will be taken and parents contacted. Only in an emergency may a day boy go directly to the Health Centre. Any boy requesting to present to the Health Centre during school hours (except recess and lunch) must have his diary signed by their class teacher.

If a boy will be absent for all or part of a day his parents must advise Student Services on 9383 6928 or by email at seniorschool@scotch.wa.edu.au.

If a boy arrives late, leaves early, or has an appointment during the day he must sign in and out at the Student Services Office. Parental permission must be given prior to this occurring. Student Services is located on the verandah directly opposite the entrance to the Dickinson Centre. No student may leave the Campus without reporting to Student Services.

Careers Information

2015 WACE Year 11 and Year 12 Examinations

In certain circumstances, the School Curriculum and Standards Authority offers special examination arrangements to candidates in their final WACE examinations. Students who feel they may qualify in 2015 and have not begun the process of applying to the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) should contact Ms Fugill, Dean of Teaching and Learning.

Applications to the School Curriculum and Standards Authority close on 19 May 2015, and eligible students will be provided with further information from the Academic Support Team over the next few weeks.

Students who sustain an injury or illness that will or could impact upon their written or practical WACE examinations should also contact Ms Fugill as soon as the injury or illness becomes apparent. There are also provisions for students who become ill during their WACE examinations and all students should familiarize themselves with the process of applying for sickness/misadventure provisions before they begin their WACE examinations.

Further details regarding accommodations and illness provisions can be found at http://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/internet/Senior_Secondary/WACE_Examinations/Special_Provisions

Medicine, Dentistry and Podiatric Medicine 2016

Medicine is offered at UWA and Notre Dame as a graduate-entry study option only and dentistry and podiatric medicine is offered as a graduate-entry study at UWA. This means that there is no longer a requirement for students to sit the UMAT (Undergraduate Medicine & Health Sciences Admission Test) as following the completion of an undergraduate degree, students who are intending to complete graduate studies in either medicine, podiatric medicine or dentistry will be required to sit the GAMSAT (Graduate Medical School Admissions Test).

However, UWA offers limited assured entry places to highly qualified school-leaving (Year 12) students when they commence at UWA. To secure one of these places, a student must sit the UMAT, attend the structured interview, achieve a 99+ ATAR and complete an undergraduate degree with a Grade Point Average of at least 5.5 (approx. 65%).

Students who are intending to study medicine or dentistry at an interstate university (except University of Melbourne) are still required to sit the UMAT to gain entry into undergraduate medicine or dentistry.

UMAT applications closing date: Friday 5 June 2015

UMAT date: Wednesday 29 July 2015

Mr Frusher has recently distributed to interested students, information regarding the UMAT. Any students who were unable to attend this meeting and parents who may have further questions are asked to contact Mr Frusher at Scotch. For more information please see http://umat.acer.edu.au/.

MedEntry is a government accredited Registered Training Organisation specialising in UMAT preparation. MedEntry offers discounts of up to 40% for groups, and numerous scholarships. For more information, please visit www.MedEntry.edu.au.

University Information

Are you interested in undertaking a Bachelor of Design, or simply wish to find out more about studying Landscape Architecture at UWA?

'A Day in the Life of a Landscape Architecture Student' gives Year 11 and 12 students the opportunity to participate in design studios, and work with staff and current Landscape Architecture students. Don't miss this exciting opportunity to gain an exclusive insight into your future life as a uni student at UWA! Online registrations are now open at studyat.uwa.edu.au/DITL

Location: Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Visual Arts (ALVA)

Wednesday 8 April 2015 08:45 - 4.00pm RSVP is required.

Have you ever wanted to know what it's like to study Music at UWA?

'A Day in the Life of a Music Student' gives Year 11 and 12 students the opportunity to explore the different ways Music can be incorporated into your degree, and experience some of the classes you would take as a music student. You are encouraged to bring your instrument with you (note: the School of Music offers tuition on all orchestral instruments, piano, organ harpischord, fortepiano, classical guitar, classical voice and composition). Don't miss this exciting opportunity to gain an exclusive insight into your future life as a uni student at UWA! Online registrations are now open at studyat.uwa.edu.au/DITL

Location: UWA School of Music

Monday 13 April 2015 08:45am - 4.00pm RSVP is required.

Are you interested in undertaking a Bachelor Health Science, or simply wish to find out more about studying Health Sciences at UWA?

'A Day in the Life of a Health Life Student' gives Year 11 and 12 students the opportunity to learn more about the many and varied Health Sciences offered at UWA. Don't miss this exciting opportunity to gain an exclusive insight into your future life as a uni student at UWA! Online registrations are now open at studyat.uwa.edu.au/DITL

Wednesday 15 April 2015 08:45 - 1.00pm RSVP is required.

UWA Campus Tours

Prospective students and their families are invited to take a guided tour of UWA's Crawley campus. The tour provides an opportunity to ask questions about courses and admission requirements.

Monday 13 April 2015

RSVP required at studyat.uwa.edu.au/campustours

More tours and 'Day in the Life of a UWA student' (different faculties) will be offered next term.

ECU's School of Natural Sciences

Natural Sciences Showcase Evening

Australian Defence Forces Information Evenings

Tuesday 24 March 2015

Army Reserve Information Session

6.30pm - Level 7, 66 St Georges Terrace, Perth

With a part-time job in the Army Reserve, you'll have opportunities to experience things you couldn't buy in the civilian world. It's a tough and physically demanding job, but the rewards are enormous. New mates, flexible hours, impressive skills and great tax-free pay. Find out more about the Army Reserve at this information session.

Saturday 28 March 2015

Australian Defence Force Careers Expo

9am to 4pm - Leeuwin Barracks, Riverside Rd, East Fremantle

The Australian Defence Force Careers Expo will include a number of 30 minute presentations throughout the day.

Monday 30 March 2015

Health Careers Information Session

6.30pm - Level 7, 66 St Georges Terrace, Perth

Join a team of dedicated people who play a vital role in the ongoing health and welfare of the Navy, Army and Air Force and put your medical and health related skills and knowledge to use, in an environment unlike any other. To find one that's right for you, attend the Health Careers Information Session.

Tuesday 31 March 2015

Trade Careers Information Session

6.30pm - Level 7, 66 St Georges Terrace, Perth

There's no better way to start a trade career than in the Australian Defence Force. And with the huge range of different trade careers available, it's a sure bet there will be one for you. You'll start off on a great wage while you train to become an expert in your chosen field, receiving nationally recognised qualifications. You'll get great travel opportunities and be working with some of the most technically advanced hardware in the world. Some of the awesome benefits include competitive salary packages, guaranteed job security, free healthcare and subsidised accommodation. Plus, with physical activity included in a typical days work, you'll find plenty of time to kick a ball around with your new mates. Find out more at the next information session.

Wednesday 1 April 2015

Engineering Careers Information Session

6.30pm - Level 7, 66 St Georges Terrace, Perth

As one of Australia's largest employers, the Defence Force provides outstanding career opportunities for Engineering undergraduates and graduates. Whether it's in the Navy, Army or Air Force, you'll work on some of the most challenging and significant engineering projects in the country, leading highly trained teams of people and utilising the most technically advanced equipment available. The range of Engineering professions on offer includes Aeronautical, Armament, Avionics, Electrical, Electronics, Marine, Mechanical, Software and Weapons fields. You'll be working across elements such as maintenance, engineering and logistics management, design engineering and project management, supporting Defence capability and striving to achieve the next generation of advancements in technology.

Wednesday 8 April 2015

Defence University Sponsorship Information Session

6.30pm - Level 7, 66 St Georges Terrace, Perth

Find out more about becoming an Officer in the Australia Defence Force and discover what it's like at the Royal Australian Naval College at HMAS CRESWELL, the Royal Military College Duntroon and Officers' Training School East Sale. If you're already studying, you may not be thinking about your career after university just yet, but the Australian Defence Force is. If you have started your Engineering or Health degree at any recognised Australian university, you should apply to become a Defence Sponsored Student. Continuing at your university you will receive a salary of up to $44,348 per year if you're an undergraduate, or if you're a postgraduate student pursuing the graduate medical or dental program, you'll receive up to $66,048 per year, have your remaining Higher Education Loan Program paid, enjoy subsidised accommodation, free medical and dental, text book allowance and graduate with a rewarding career in the Navy, Army or Air Force. Find out more about becoming an Officer in the Australian Defence Force at this information session.

Revision Courses

April WACE and ATAR Revision with Academic Task Force - 6 hr subject revision at Rossmoyne SHS, Churchlands SHS and Perth Modern School. Enrol now online at www.academictaskforce.com.au or call 9314 9500 or email learn@academictaskforce.com.au

April WACE and ATAR Revision Courses with Academic Associates - 10 hr courses available at the University of Western Australia and the University of Notre Dame. Enrol online at www.academicassociates.com.au or call 9314 9500 or email info@academicassociates.com.au

Career Tips

Confused? Unsure? No idea? Want more information?

Try this newly launched website Hobson Course Finder.

www.hobsonscoursefinder.com.au will provide you with the ability to:

• search for a range of institutions - universities, TAFE institutes and private education providers
• explore links between courses and careers
• search for scholarships across Australia
• access helpful information about tertiary study, from getting in, to graduation and beyond.

Scotch Auxiliary

Thank you to all the parents who attended our meeting this morning.

Year 9 Mums

Please come along to a get together at Lea Price's home on Friday 27 March from 6pm.

RSVP to pricelea@iinet.net.au by Wednesday 25th March.

For more information please refer to the email sent on 9/3/2015 or contact Lea on the above email.

Year 11 Dance - Saturday 16 May

The Year 11 Dance working committee has been formed and preparations have commenced. Any enquiries or offers to help please contact Tania Hollingsworth, Dance coordinator, taniah@iinet.net.au

Please check the Scotch Auxiliary page on home.scotch.wa.edu.au in Parent Support for current information, lists of your parent representatives and upcoming events.

Carissa Paganin

President

Scotch Auxiliary

Parents' Association

Visiting Speakers Programme

The Parents' Association are proud to be supporting the Visiting Speakers Programme. As mentioned in the Head of Senior School section of The Thistle. 30 March will be the first in a series of visits from prominent visitors across a diverse range of fields.

The College has great pleasure in announcing an evening with Jonathon Welch AM. Jonathon is well known for his work in establishing The Choir of Hard Knocks that comprised homeless and disadvantaged singers from across Melbourne. This wonderful initiative became the subject of a five-part television series on the ABC. Jonathon went on to found the School of Hard Knocks in 2012 and Social Inclusion Week in 2009. He is an inspiring Australian whose work has been acknowledged with his appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia and the winner of the Australian Local Hero Award as part of the Australian of the Year Awards in 2009. Jonathon will spend the day working with boys in the Scotch music and community service programmes before a community presentation in the Dickinson Centre on the evening of Monday 30 March.

Bookings can be made through the Scotch website - 'Book A Scotch Event'

The PA Biennial 'Luxe' Ball was held on Saturday 14 March 2015

A fantastic night of good food, good wine and good company was had by 470 guests last Saturday night on the Scotch Playing Fields under a huge marquee.

The theme was 'Luxe' and it certainly showed under the black silk lining of the marquee which showcased the chandeliers and the elegant table settings.

Guests were piped in by the Scotch College Pipe Band A Team and enjoyed a three course dinner with matched wines accompanied by a dinner quartet.

The dance floor came alive to the sounds of Stratosfunk and guests mingled with friends outside under the stars.

The Ball Committee would like to thank the following kind supporters:

• Pedersons Hire
• Tony Salom from OMG
• Peters-Smith family from Incredible Group
• Plantagenet Wines
• Stella Bella Wines
• Swanbourne Cellars
• Prime Laundry Services
• Globaltech Corporation
• Amanda Energy
• Kakulas Sister
• Instant Products Group
• The Re-Store
• Scotch Catering
• Scotch Marketing and Development Staff
• Scotch Venues and Events Staff
• Scotch Facilities and Grounds Staff
• Scotch Pipe Band

A special thanks to all of the parents, boys and boarders who kindly volunteered their help.

A beautiful earring set and a Penfolds boxed wine set were given as Ball Prizes sponsored by:

• Siobhan Way Fine Jewellery
• Amanda Energy

I would like to make a special mention of the Ball Committee for their incredible commitment and their artistic/organisational talent.

Melissa Harkins, Sue Moffat, Karen Azzopardi, Peta Grant, Peta Scott-Morey, Michelle Barrow,Gary Pyne, Gordon Stewart, James Smith.

A special thank you to Tony Salom - OMG Events - who was our mentor, negotiator and expert manager.

It was a pleasure to work with you all and I am already looking forward to the next Ball……

Ian Knobel on behalf of the

Parents' Association

Ball Sub-Committee

Pipe Band Support Group

All Schools Pipe Band Competition & Mini Easter Fair

Easter Sunday - April 5 - 10am - 4pm

Eight school bands representing Perth, Albany, Sydney, Singapore and Malaysia will be competing in our Centenary All Schools Pipe Band Competition.

Come along and watch the Scotch College Pipe Band compete and perform a selection of marches in the morning, meet up for a massed band performance over lunch and then finish the day with their musical selections and the announcement of results.

There will be plenty of food, memorabilia, activities, rides and family entertainment for all to enjoy at the Mini Easter Fair. From face painting, bouncy castles and crafts for littlies to an inflatable obstacle course and climbing wall that will challenge older children.

There will also be highland dancing performances with the Western Australian Highland Dancing Championship & Competition.

Come down to the Scotch playing fields and be a part of this wonderful free community event helping celebrate PLCs Centenary. We look forward to seeing you there. All Welcome.

Mandy Perrignon

President

Pipe Band Parents' Support Group

0407 087 443
mandy@perrignon.com

Rowing Support Group

Head of the River

Congratulations to all the rowers and coaches on a terrific end to a 2015 season which was disrupted by algal blooms, cyclones and cancelled regattas.

The assistance offered by the many parents and supporters who make up the Rowing Support Group was truly appreciated by all our young men, and they rewarded us on Saturday with targeted results.

In a fantastic end to the day our Firsts brought home the Head of the River Cup for the first time in 25 years.

An email will be going out to all rowing families shortly.

Jenny Sinclair and Genevieve Cleary

Mothers of Captain and Vice-Captain of Boats

Friends of Performing Arts at Scotch (FOPAS)

Middle School Production

The Very Un-Merry Adventures of Robin Hood

Sherwood Forest is in danger of being destroyed and it's up to Robin and his band of Merry Men to save the day!

The 2015 Year 6/7 production will take place in the Foundation Theatre from Thursday 26 to Saturday 28 March. Bookings will be open via "Book a Scotch Event" from Monday 16th March. Get in quick and get your tickets as there will be great demand to see another fantastic and entertaining production from the Drama Department.

Melanie Strawbridge

President

Friends of Performing Arts at Scotch (FOPAS)

End of Season Dinners

Please book your tickets for the following Dinners as soon as possible by visiting the Scotch College website www.scotch.wa.edu.au and clicking on the "Book a Scotch Event" icon

Water Polo - Sausage sizzle Wednesday 25 March (bookings have closed on the website for enquires please contact Susie Prior susie_prior@yahoo.com.au

Water Polo - Dinner Sunday 29 March 2015

Cricket - Dinner Tuesday 31 March 2015

Basketball - Dinner - Wednesday 1 April 2015

Petition for Safe Crossing on Railway Road at Daglish Station

To support the installation of a pedestrian light controlled crossing on Railway Rd, Subiaco, near the Daglish train station, please visit http://tinyurl.com/pct4295.

UnitingCare West

Wesley College are hosting a special screening of the critically acclaimed documentary "Beyond Right and Wrong' on Tuesday 24 March at 5.30pm. Wesley are hosting the screening is in support of CASE for Refugees.

Please find attached the invitation. (link PDF)

There is no cost to attend the screening however CASE will receive 50 cents for every person that attends. They welcome staff, students and parents and other members of the community and hope you may be able to get a group together to attend. One of the subjects of the film, along with the producer will be available for questions at the end of the screening.

The trailer for the film can be viewed at the following link: http://beyondrightandwrong.com/.

All Schools Pipe Band March and Competition

In honour of PLC's Centenary and pipe band tradition, an All Schools Pipe Band March and Competition will be held over the Easter weekend. Seven schools from around Australasia will perform and compete over two days. There will be an All Schools Pipe Band March in the city on Saturday 4 April and an All Schools Pipe Band Competition and Mini Easter Fair at Scotch playing fields the following day, on Easter Sunday. Everyone is warmly invited to attend these free family events.

For details, please visit the PLC Centenary website at http://www.plc100.info.