Much has been written about boys' education. Sometimes I believe the rhetoric contributes to over complication and complexity when it comes to what works with boys. I have no doubt the ability to complicate and create mystique allows some to purport that they hold the magical key with which all secrets about educating boys will be unlocked before our very eyes.

The key to successfully educating boys in my opinion is not that complicated. Firstly, employ staff that care about each boy and have the capacity to develop meaningful professional and personal connections. Secondly, ensure behavioural expectations are clear and that the boys know where the line in the sand is drawn and that it is not a line that moves. Thirdly, create an environment that promotes a healthy culture; a culture that is founded upon core values and in the case of Scotch this means we must reflect integrity, service and stewardship in all that we do and offer.

As a college that enrols boys from Years 1 to 12, and hopefully in the not too distant future K-12, there is another construct that can give real meaning to young boys. The construct to which I refer is aspirational leadership. Creating a culture of aspiration engenders a sense of hope and excitement in each boy as they look to the future.

Over the last two weeks aspirational leadership has been clearly evident across our College. Our Senior Leaders addressed a recent assembly to promote the concept of being the best you can be, not a better version of someone else. Just last Friday at our Junior School assembly I watched the depth of what I will call a "WOW" factor in our young boys as they watched in awe at Stuart McCowan a Year 12 student, demonstrated what it means to be one of Western Australia's finest young Jazz pianists. Finally, last Saturday we held the annual Year 12 Ball. Without the help of the student and parent volunteers the evening simply would not be as successful. The cycle of younger boys working on major events is in itself an opportunity to develop aspiration in each boy as they journey through Scotch.

Last Friday I attended the 50^th Year anniversary of my own school. As we reminisced and looked at the two buildings that we had in 1978, we recalled how the quadrangle assemblies represented a journey from Year 7 until you got to stand at the back as a Year 12. While reaching the end was great, I believe it was in fact the aspirational journey that meant far more than the final destination.

In closing I would like to highlight one other factor that I believe is essential in the teaching of boys, that is, the use of meaningful stories to impart understanding. Every school tries to impart messages to their students in an attempt to shape their character and develop a sense of deep moral purpose. Sometimes our own staff imparts these stories and at other times we engage experts from the wider community.

One such expert who has made a special contribution to our community is Celia Lashlie. It was with great sadness that we heard of her sudden passing last week. Celia's book title 'He'll be OK: Growing Gorgeous Boys into Good Men' says it all for me. This is our job as educators and in partnership with families and the wider community we must stay focused on keeping this goal at the heart of all we do.

Watching the way our Year 12s arrived at their Ball provided me with great solace that they are on the right journey. The way they looked, how they introduced their partners and the care they showed for each other as well as their deep sense of joy and fun was affirmation they are on the right track.

I think it is fitting that I leave you with one of Celia's lucid messages that for me highlights the importance of providing aspirational experiences and encourage those who have not yet read her book to consider locating a copy. In speaking about adolescent boys Celia points out that:

'He didn't come to fulfill your dreams. He came to find his own. Fathers, you need to walk with him.'

May Celia rest in peace and the legacy she has left us remind us about the vital role we must all play in growing gorgeous boys into good men.

Dr A J O'Connell

Headmaster

Scotch, STEM and Australia's Employment Future

The Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) movement is neither a new phenomenon nor one that is unique to Australia, however, the momentum behind STEM based teaching and learning is gaining an audience that can no longer be ignored. The Chief Scientist, Professor Ian Chubb, in 2014, identified in his report STEM: Australia's Future the need for Australia to provide opportunities for Australian students to engage with STEM based programmes at school with a view to take STEM studies at a tertiary level.

STEM disciplines provide education to enact analytical, critical, quantitative and reasoning skills and creativity that are valuable in many organisations and to society. STEM related skills - independent thought, quantitative reasoning, problem solving skills, ability to ask critical questions, forming and testing hypotheses - are increasingly adaptive in the modern world.

The situation in Australia is alarming when considering the statistics surrounding the STEM debate. Tony Peake, the National Leader - Government, from Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC) commented that 40% of currently non-digitalised occupations will soon become digital. To compare internationally, in Singapore 52% of graduates leave university with a STEM based qualification, in Australia it is 16%.

From a schools perspective this is identified by a significant reduction in the number of students who take STEM based subjects at a high level. Across Australia participation in the more challenging mathematics and Science courses has steadily been falling.

We need to identify and encourage students who want to take a STEM based learning path and equally encourage them to believe that they can. It is important to be clear to our boys that STEM based learning has no boundaries, it is not aimed at one particular student, equally VET, WACE or IB students could choose to follow a path that will lead them on a STEM based career.

In an exciting opportunity in 2015, Scotch College Year 10 students will be completing a 10 week course at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research which will engage our students in the emerging world of bioinformatics. It is these types of partnerships with industry that will inspire and engage our boys with professionals that previously have not been possible.

Promoting STEM based education is also not about devaluing other disciplines, rather it is about embracing the pedagogy that sees our teachers collaborate across disciplines to provide delivery of an education that mirrors and indeed prepares our boys for a far more realistic world which they will face.

Australia's future growth can only be based on skills knowledge and innovation. The future of Australia is based in high value production, which shall require a highly skilled workforce, and many of those occupations will be born from STEM related learning. These skills are critically important to the future of the Australian economy as we shift from a resource economy to a knowledge and production based economy.

Scotch College will be looking to partner tertiary institutions, industry and the community to explore a co-ordinated approach to STEM learning to ensure we are providing our boys with a multitude of options to be part of this fast growing aspect of Australia's community, yet also that from a social perspective we are equipping Australia with the learners we need for a prosperous Australia.

Mr Peter Allen

Director of Teaching and Learning

Scotch College Open Day, Friday 13 March

The Headmaster, staff and students invite you to the Scotch College Open Day from 8.15 am, finishing at 11.00 am.

More details can be found on the Scotch website www.scotch.wa.edu.au.

Parents' Association

BALL TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE

The Scotch College Parents Association biennial Parents Ball is being held on Saturday 14th March 2015.

Tickets for this Black Tie event are $250 per head and can be purchased individually or by tables of 10. Purchase your tickets by visiting the Scotch College website www.scotch.wa.edu.au and click on the "Book a Scotch Event" icon.

The theme for this year's Ball is 'Luxe' and is set in a beautiful silk marquee on the Scotch College playing fields. This luxurious event commences at 6.30pm with pre-dinner drinks including champagne, at 7.00pm a sumptuous three course dinner with matched fine WA wines, boutique beers and bottled water will be served. Entertainment by the spectacular 9-piece soul band 'Stratosfunk' will have you dancing the night away.

The committee is also looking for volunteers to help with set up and clean up. If you can give any assistance please contact Peta Scott-Morey at peta@scott-morey.net

Michelle Barrow Ian Knobel

0412 108 221 0407 285 246

Community and Service

Community and Service Tutor

Akram Azimi, the Young Australian of The Year for 2013, has now been employed as Community and Service Tutor on Friday afternoons. Akram will work with boys in the Year 10 Community and Service programme and will also be available to assist senior students until 4.00pm.

Akram has a unique set of experiences and skills that make him a very good mentor for senior boys as they prepare for graduation from secondary school and enter the next stage of their lives. He has a passion for learning and for service. Any boy who would like to meet Akram can find him, in the Senior School Library each Friday afternoon of term.

UnitingCare West - Food Rescue

It was pleasing to be informed that three Scotch families responded to the request from Food Rescue for assistance with food collection during the Summer break. Parents and boys manned the food carts to collect fresh but unsold food from cafes in the central areas of the city - for distribution to the homeless and needy families. There is an opportunity now for senior boys to take on the responsibility of manning the carts on a regular basis each Friday afternoon. Providing the logistics of this can be finalised, it is hoped that Scotch boys will be a working for the Food Rescue agency following the mid-term break.

Round Square

Scotch College was represented at the Round Square Heads and Reps meeting in Melbourne last week. This annual meeting of school leaders, held at a Round Square school within the Australasia and SE Asia Region, provides an opportunity for member schools to discuss best practice across the Round Square IDEALS of Internationalism, Democracy, Environmentalism, Leadership and Service. Member schools shared programmes and the new Strategic Plan for the global organisation was presented. At the meeting, the agendas for both the Junior and Senior Round Square conferences were discussed. This week interviews are being held with Year 8 boys who have applied to attend the Junior- regional conference in Adelaide in April. Early next term, senior school students will be asked to apply for the Senior World Conference to be held in Singapore in October. These meeting and conferences, along with student exchanges enhance our presence in the region and around the world and provide opportunities for engagement on a range of issues relevant to teaching and learning.

People Who Care

Year 10 Scotch boys will now be working with the organisation 'People Who Care'. This organization provides gardening and transport assistance to the aged and disabled. Boys will be helping to maintain gardens in the northern suburbs each Friday afternoon. Our partnership with People Who Care will enhance the opportunities for this type of work that has come through our long-term partnership with Volunteer Task Force.

Year 10 Service Programme

The Year 10 service programme started in Week 2 with boys taking part in 18 distinct activities. The boys going to Tranby Day Centre in East Perth were introduced to two homeless men addicted to methamphetamine. They spoke to the boys about their lives and how they came to be in their present situation. Boys in the r.u.MAD (Are You Making a Difference?) group listened to Scott Nodwell (OSC'03) a counselor with Youth Focus talk about how he came to be working with youth at risk. The group that went to Balga worked with recently arrived refugees and migrants in the Intensive English Language Unit at Balga SHS. Other boys worked with clients at Rocky Bay Inc, Braemar Presbyterian Homes and the Quadriplegic Centre in Shenton Park. Our association with Friends of Lake Claremont continued with a group working to rehabilitate the lake ecoststem. The programme is extensive informed by the Scotch College Service Model that has as its drivers: INSPIRE, CONNECT, NURTURE and SUSTAIN.

Mr WJR Cordner

Director of Community Service

Music Department

As we commence Week 4, all music ensembles are now rehearsing diligently in preparation for their various performances and tours and it was great to have so many boys on stage to perform as members of the full Scotch College Concert Band as they joined together to perform at the first Senior Assembly of 2015 at the end of Week 1. The Studio Orchestra also performed well at the end of Week 2.

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. This group met on Monday of Week 2 and planned their support of the years events which begins with the upcoming Quiz Night for all Musicians in Years 8 - 12. More information about this event will be sent via email. 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 is an excellent way to support your son and the Music Programme at Scotch College.

There is a range of exciting musical events organized for this term including the following dates:

Upcoming Dates

13 March, Open Day

20 March, Music Department Quiz Night

21 March, Saturday, Quarry Performance for Combined Ensembles as guests of PLC

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.

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.

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

Wednesday 25 March 7.30am to 9.00am

Wednesday 1 April 7.30am to 9.00am

Holiday Opening Days

9.00 am to 4.00 pm (closed lunch: noon - 1.00 pm)

16 April, Thursday

17 April, Friday

20 April, Monday

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

And, for the start of our year, useful guidelines appear in the attached article - 10 golden rules for parenting success in 2015.

Head of Junior School

Enthusiasm: I am excited by learning and always try my best.

Compete, try your best, fail or fall down, get up and try again. For many a great athlete this has been a mantra that has seen them succeed and become the best in their chosen field. Michael Jordan said "I have missed more than 9000 shots in my career. 26 times I have been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. That is why I succeed."

I have given our boys a challenge this year. I have asked them to do something hard, something challenging, to try and try again. I challenged them to learn from failing, to ask for help and give it another go. For some, this will be difficult.

We work to make our learning engagements fun. To present the work in a manner that excites the boys about the task ahead of them and about learning. Creating this enthusiasm for learning and trying hard is a skill that our teachers do very well.

Provocations for learning in a given unit assist in tuning the boys into the learning ahead of them. We aim for this to create enthusiasm for the work they will explore and an eagerness to share what they have discovered.

I have seen this enthusiasm from our boys from the very beginning of the school year. Most came to school ready and eager to reunite with friends and to begin their new journey. At the beginning of the year I have seen it spill over into engagements in lesson, the playground, friendships and sport.

Last Wednesday boys from Year 3-5 took part in the Inter-House Swimming Carnival. For many it was their first experience of an inter-house event. For five of our teachers it was their first experience of an inter-house event. The day was outstanding, but the anticipation and nervousness of many of the boys was clear to see.

Before the carnival at the Kiss and Drop, I spotted one of our boys walking back to his car to go home. I asked him what was the matter and why he needed to leave. He indicated he was nervous and apprehensive about the challenge ahead of him. We spoke about the importance of trying hard and doing the very best for ourselves. He agreed to have a go. Later at the carnival I asked him how he was going. He responded with great enthusiasm that he was having a great day.

Embracing the challenge, trying hard and demonstrating an enthusiasm for what is ahead of us brings benefits in a range of areas. I congratulate our teachers for their work to create these feeling in the boys and I congratulate the boys for rising to the challenge.

John Stewart

Head of Junior School

Important Dates to Remember

An intriguing time in Perth for the Arts.

Over the weekend, thousands of people gathered to follow the story of the 'Little Girl and the Diver'. These giant marionette puppets and project, is the creation of Royal De Luxe company director, Jean- Luc Courcoult.

Jean-Luc was looking for inspiration to tour his giants in Perth, when he came across a local story written by Albany author Dianne Wolfer, " The Lighthouse Girl." In 2005, Wolfer had read a line in a newspaper article about Perth man Don Watson, who was looking through old postcards that his mother had been sent from the frontline after signalling soldiers from the lighthouse on the remote Breaksea Island. The little girl in the lighthouse watched soldiers leaving Australia on ships, carrying hope into lost battles. Magically Jean-Luc has woven the 100 year commemoration of the ANZACS into this enchanting tale.

Meanwhile, in the south-west corner of Western Australia, a mystery evolved from an Aboriginal community, about a boat that came out of the sand. The journey weaves together all these rich experiences of the past, present and into the future.

Royal De Luxe are world leaders in large-scale street theatre and storytelling. They are a company of talented actors, engineers, inventors, technicians, metal workers and poets.

This term Year 5 students are engaged in a How We Organise Ourselves Unit of Inquiry and are being spoilt by amazing local, national and international arts experiences. It also provides outstanding examples of teamwork including " The Incredible and Phenomenal Journey of the Giants", " 2015 Sculptures by the Sea" and " The Clay House" in North Fremantle. Here the boys will be designing and creating their own 4D sculpture of a lighthouse. There are very powerful and rich links being made here in the Arts and we are very fortunate to have these events in our community.

Karen Sabitay

PYP Visual Arts

Performing Arts News

Our fabulous Year One boys have had such a wonderful start to the year. You would have thought they've done Year One before! They have quickly established new routines in Performing Arts and I have been particularly impressed with how caring and supportive they are of each other. We have had a fun couple of weeks exploring beat and pitch through a range of activities that has included a lot of singing, moving, listening and playing percussion instruments. The boys particularly enjoyed singing songs where we changed the lyrics so that their names were included in the song - there is just something special about hearing your name sung in a song that brings a smile to your face!

Phebe Samson

Performing Arts Teacher

Managing Laptops and iPads @ Home - Strategies for Effective Use

When a mobile technology like a laptop or iPad is brought home, a number of interesting challenges arise, particularly if you have wireless internet access. The effective management of a mobile learning technology in the home is an important discussion to be had.

An important key to assist you in those discussions is TLC - Try, Learn, Chat.

Try - If your child is into it, then give it a try too.

Learn - Update your knowledge to build credibility - what is happening? What is possible?

Chat - Build trust through regular conversations about learning technologies. Let your child be your teacher, and you can add wisdom by asking deeper questions.

For more information on strategies for effective use of laptops, iPads and other technical devices, you can visit the 1to1 Stop Shop:

Amanda Ritchie

ILT Coach

French News

The Year 4 classes have now begun learning about the human body, which will link to the unit of inquiry "Who we are". They will acquire new vocabulary skills such as, naming and identifying the different parts of the body in French. Learning will also take place through songs and games like Tête, Épaules, Genoux et Pieds (Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes) and Simon Dit (Simon Says). We will also be exploring the different ways in which people in France express themselves through body language.

Madame Edwards

French Specialist

Physical Education News

The Year has started fantastically for the Junior School Physical Education Department. The boys have been participating keenly in their respective gymnastics and swimming activities. The swimming has been in preparation for the Inter-House Swimming Carnival for Years 3-5 which took place at HBF Stadium on Wednesday 18 February. A great day was had by all in what was an excellent display of swimming and participation by all boys. In Week Six the Year 1's and 2's will begin their swimming lessons whilst Years 3, 4 and 5 will take part in the gymnastics programme. JPSSA sport kicked off with fixtures against Wesley last Thursday and the Year 5 boys are looking forward to continuing this programme into the rest of the year. Congratulations to 3T for winning the shield for "Class of the Week".

Scott Whiston

Head of Junior School Physical Education

News 5C

Room 5C has had a busy start to the year, welcoming existing students back to school as well as two new students and a new teacher! All of the excited students have taken to the year with a focus on developing and refreshing our PYP thinking. The class used Shaun Tan's 'The Rules of Summer' as a stimulus for thinking about rules, for example 'Never step on a snail.' This lead to meaningful discussions about why we have rules and the benefits of collaborating for shared agreements. We discussed the learner profile and used the framework to link in with our agreements. Last Friday, 5C presented an assembly item that highlighted the journey taken to develop our agreements, showcasing our developed agreements creatively and with an injection of humour. Well done, boys on a terrific start to the year!

Miss Renae Cirillo

Year 5 Teacher

FRIENDLY SCHOOLS PLUS

Hello to the Scotch College Community. For those of you who have recently joined us, we run a programme here called the Friendly Schools Plus programme. I coordinate the programme, which endeavours to address the following aspects of life at Scotch:

1. BUILDING CAPACITY: Committed and Engaged Leadership, System Support and Resources, Ensuring Capability with School Community Needs.

2. SUPPORTIVE SCHOOL CULTURE: Positive Whole School Culture, Effective Classroom Practice and Environment, Positive Peer Group Influence.

3. PROACTIVE POLICIES AND PRACTICES: Policy Development, Information Technology, Policy Framework and Implementation: Prevention, Early Response and Case Management, Integrated Focus on Orientation and Transition.

4. KEY UNDERSTANDINGS AND COMPETENCIES: Staff Professional Learning, Explicit Student Learning through the Curriculum, Effective Family Communication.

5. PROTECTIVE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT: Physical Attributes of the School, Supportive School Facilities and Activities.

6. SCHOOL-FAMILY-COMMUNTY PARTNERSHIPS: Strengthening Family Links, Working Collaboratively with Health, Education and Community Service.

When looking closer at the second area; Supportive School Culture; Effective Classroom Practice and Environment, we deliver a classroom programme that focuses on Social and Emotional Learning. Classroom teachers will run short lessons that develop the following skills, and the PE staff will also run one 30-minute lesson per fortnight. These skills help to develop resilience and empathy as well as being an effective tool set for reducing and addressing bullying-related issues.

• Self-Awareness- understanding our feelings
• Self-Management - handling emotions in appropriate ways
• Social Awareness - respecting the feelings of others
• Relationship Skills - dealing positively with relationship problems
• Social Decision-Making - making choices and considering the consequences

Each fortnight I will offer ideas on how to work with your children at home. Research demonstrates that efforts to change the attitudes and behaviour of students are more likely to be successful if families are actively involved, and share a sense of ownership over the process.

Warwick Norman

Friendly Schools and Families Coordinator

Junior School Resource Centre

Hello from the still new and exciting Junior and Middle School Library.

As we settle back into our routines, I encourage all parents to find time to read to your boys in order to promote positive role modelling, and to develop conceptual understandings about many and varied stories. Below I have written some suggested novels and picture books that match up with the Learner Profile attributes of the Primary Years Programme (PYP):

Inquirers:

Bridge to Terabithia: Katherine Paterson

Wilfrid Gordon Macdonald Partridge: Mem Fox

Knowledgeable:

The Cay: Theodore Taylor

To the Top End: Roland Harvey

Thinkers:

Rowan Series: Emily Rodda

The Lost Thing: Shaun Tan

Communicator:

Darius Bell & the Glitter Pool: Odo Hirsch

Fearless: Colin Thompson

Open-minded:

Then: Morris Gleitzman

Luke's Way of Looking: Nadia Wheatley

Risk Takers:

Gregor the Overlander: Suzanne Collins

The Terrible Plop: Ursula Dubosarsky

Caring:

A Rose for the Anzac boys: Jackie French

Clancy & Millie & the Very Fine House: Libby Gleeson

Balanced:

Isabella's Garden: Glenda Millard

The Short and Incredibly Happy Life of Riley: Colin Thompson

Principled:

Hitler's Daughter: Jackie French

The Night We Made the Flag: Carole Wilkinson

Reflective:

Wonder: R.J. Palacio

Grandfather's Journey: Allen Say

Warwick Norman

Junior School Teacher Librarian

Primary Years Programme (PYP)

Collaborative Planning in the Junior School.

'We collaborate to make teaching and learning richer'

Time for collaboration is written into our schedules across the Junior School to ensure we align with IB guidelines and to ensure we are designing the best possible learning engagements for the boys; learning that is connected both horizontally across year groups and vertically through the School.

The programme of inquiry has been written with input from all staff. In addition, all staff collaborate on the timing of each unit of inquiry and the mapping of the essential elements (knowledge, skills, attitudes and concepts). Teachers use these documents to drive the curriculum mapping for the year across all subject areas. We use the Australian Curriculum for our subject areas and this year we are implementing the new documents for: The Arts (which includes Visual Art, Drama, Music and Dance), Health and Physical Education, French and Digital Technology.

"The true strength in our classroom lies in the collaboration of learners, not in the knowledge of one expert". Krissy Venosdale

Just a reminder an information session for parents new to the Primary Years Programme will be held on Wednesday 4 March from 8:15am to 10:45am.

Kathy Derrick

Deputy Head of Junior School (Curriculum)

Kathy Derrick

Deputy Head of Junior School - Curriculum

Head of Middle School

We have had an exceptionally smooth start to the school year. This is largely due to the quality of the information you provided to us last year, your attendance at the Parent Information Evenings and supporting our boys as they come to grips with the increased expectations, which are a step up from where they were last year. Thank you.

In Week 5 and 6 we have set aside time for Parent Teacher Interviews. These are short 10 minute meetings with your son's Homeroom teacher that focus on engagement, organisation and participation. For new families it is also an opportunity to get feedback on how your son has transitioned into Scotch College and Middle School, how his friendship group is developing and a chance to ask questions about programmes and opportunities. It is also a forum for you to give feedback to the teacher on how you think your son is coping and the highpoints or the struggles you feel he is wrestling with. For Boarding families we will offer a Boarders Parent Teacher Interview session on Thursday 2 April, following the Senior School session.

A global email was sent out last Thursday with instructions on how to book a session, via www.schoolinterviews.com.au with your son's Homeroom teacher. It is important to know that whilst we have these formalised meeting and interview opportunities throughout the year, if you ever feel you need to talk with a teacher, that opportunity exists all year round, homeroom and specialist teachers alike, by simply contacting your son's teacher.

Richard Ledger

Head of Middle School

Middle School Inter-House Swimming Carnival

The Middle School boys tested their strength at last week's swim carnival. The first part of the day saw the boys battle it out to get a placing in a final for their House. This saw a great deal of courage and determination from all of the boys in Middle School. The finals saw some incredible personal bests being set and tight margins between races. Final standings were:

1st Gordon (1702 points)

2nd David (1602 points)

3rd Andrew (1523 points)

4th James (1498 points)

5th Bruce (1444 points)

6th Robert (1119 points)

This is the first time Gordon house has won the competition in Middle School's history - congratulations!

The following boys did extremely well on the day and have been individually awarded:

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all parents for coming down and spectating.

Lawrence Felgate

Middle School Sport

Free Dress Fundraiser

This Thursday 26 February will be a Free Dress Day in Middle School to fundraise for the Leukaemia Foundation's World's Greatest Shave. Boys are to bring in a gold coin donation.

Excellence Awards

Headmaster's Commendations

Student Achievements

Congratulations to James Thorpe 8T who has been selected for an 'All Stars Baseball Team' to compete in the 2015 State All Stars Little League Competition over Easter.

Congratulations to Benjamin Howie 8O who has been selected to compete in the National Water Polo Championships on the Gold Coast at the end of term.

Important Dates in Middle School Summer Term

Academic Support in Middle School

Academic Support classes for boys requiring short or longer term help commenced last week, as did streamed classes in Mathematics. Placements in each of these classes are always under review, many boys relishing the challenge to exceed expectations and move into a higher streamed class. Mrs Gillian Youngleson, Head of Academic Support in Middle School is the first point of call regarding questions of placement for support and enrichment.

Outdoor Education in Middle School

Our Outdoor Education programme commenced last week with Year 6 boys participating in surfing lessons at Scarborough. For most boys it is about catching waves, standing up and falling off, but for the Outdoor Education staff it is the start of our boys open water safety and survival education. This is a programme that will extend into sailing and rafting in Year 7 and canoeing and white water paddling in Year 8. The skills and knowledge about rips, drift, currents and the hold down nature of broken water is all a part of understanding about safety in the water and being confident to participate with others in a wonderful recreation medium.

Year 7 boys commence their week at Moray from Week 5 with pairs of classes spending nights under the stars, or in their own hutchies in the bush by the Murray River. Year 8 Boarders too are limbering up and shortly commence the first 100kms of their five year trek to Albany via the Bibbulmun track.

Some parents and almost all current Year 12 boys may remember a presentation from Celia Lashlie at Scotch College in 2013. Celia sadly passed away last Monday 16 February following a battle with cancer. Celia Lashlie's experiences as the first female prison officer in a men's prison in New Zealand, as a mother and as a social researcher as part of the Good Man project in New Zealand had her well placed to offer grounded, common-sense advice based on lived experience. Experiences she shared with us and in her book, He'll Be OK: Growing Gorgeous Boys into Good Men.

Celia offered parents practical advice on navigating the years of adolescence. She likened these years to boys being between two gates, one childhood the other manhood. Our challenge as parents and educators is that the distance between the gates is wide, as much as ten years. One day your son is offering a mature and considered opinion, the next he hasn't thought beyond the immediate and is acting like … well, a young boy.

Key messages from Celia's presentations have stayed with many of us in attendance. She spoke of loyalty amongst boys and how this loyalty can become a driving force of group behaviour. In her words, "one boy - one brain, two boys - half a brain." She described how so many decision made by adolescent boys are made in thirty-second moments and yet the consequences are significant and potentially long-term. For example, running an orange traffic light or a physical response to a verbal provocation.

There is no doubt that an impulsive decision can bring with it significant, long term consequences, but what does this mean for us as parents and teachers? Celia's message was clear. Let our boys make decisions and let them learn from the consequences. If we make decision for our boys, rush to their defense or perform tasks that they are more than capable of doing themselves, we have denied them the opportunity to learn. Far more important to learn the consequences of impulsive and group decisions now while they have their parents and teachers to act as safety nets than to learn these lessons later in life. If your son receives a detention for not making a commitment, not wearing the correct uniform or he loses marks for handing an assignment in late, seize the opportunity to teach him the consequences for his decisions. Not to teach the lessons of accountability and responsibility is to not prepare our boys for life.

Dr Rob McEwan

Head of Senior School

Inter-House Swimming

2015 SCOTCH COLLEGE INTER-HOUSE SWIMMING

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Records set in 2015

Open 50m Breaststroke Alex Milligan (Year 12, Brisbane) 30.31

U/16 50m Freestyle Lachlan Vos (Year 10, St Andrews) 26.77

U/15 50m Butterfly Alex Porter-Wilkinson (Year 9, Brisbane) 29.06

Year 11: 4 x 50m Freestyle Shearer House 1.51.34

Year 12: 4 x 50m Freestyle Stuart House 1.48.95

Inter-School Swimming

The Swimming "Quads" will be held on Thursday, 5 March, commencing at 7.00pm in the indoor pool at HBF Stadium. This competition is between Scotch, Trinity, Christ Church and Wesley. There will be an entry charge for parents who wish to watch the competition. The team will be advised of transport arrangements nearer the time.

The P.S.A. Inter-Schools Swimming Carnival is on Thursday, 12 March at HBF Stadium, with the first race to commence at 5.15 pm (last race around 8.45 pm).

Tickets for the P.S.A. Inter-School Swimming Carnival

Scotch has limited seating for adult and family spectators. Tickets are $15 each (to be charged to your school account) and are to be picked up and signed for at Reception (tickets will not be posted). Parents who wish to attend can register their names with Reception at the School on 9383 6800. Tickets will be available on a first come first serve basis. We would therefore urge parents to make contact with the school as soon as possible. We look forward to seeing parents and family there to support the team.

Mouthguards

It will not be long before the winter sport season is upon us, or at least the commencement of training, and with this in mind it is time to again think of mouthguards. The College strongly recommends that all students wear mouthguards for both training and competition in all contact sports. A custom fitted mouthguard will not only protect teeth but has also been proven to reduce the incidence of oral soft tissue injury, jaw fracture, neck injuries and concussions. Parents are welcome to make private arrangements however for those who prefer, the College is able to offer the following service:

A highly experienced dental prosthetist from Galadent will be attending the Senior School on Tuesday 3 - Wednesday 4 March to take dental impressions of those students who wish to avail themselves of this offer. The mouthguards will then be made up and distributed to the boys later in the term.

It is essential that both attachments to this newsletter concerning mouthguards are completed in full and returned to the College by Monday 23 February 2015. NO late forms will be accepted. DO NOT include payment details as requested in Step 3 of the order form - merely complete the second attachment "Mouthguard Permission Form" and the cost will be charged directly to your school account.

The MYP at Scotch College - Highly Commended but Never Complacent

Every year Scotch College submits samples of work from our Year 10 courses for evaluation by the International Baccalaureate Organisation. These samples contain course outlines, unit outlines, assessment tasks, assessment rubrics copies of support material and assessed student work. The purpose of this is for the IBO to ensure that the appropriate pedagogies are being employed, that the requisite academic rigour is being maintained and that their philosophical outlook is being upheld. Upholding the IBO's philosophy has never posed a challenge to us since there is no incongruence between our Mission Statement (and values) and theirs.

We have just received our annual IBO MYP moderation reports and were delighted with the positive commentary they provided on the MYP as it operates here at Scotch College. The quality of the assessment tasks our teachers design was lauded and it was recognised that these tasks enable all students to attain the highest levels of achievement. The IBO moderators were highly complimentary about the overall quality of the sample packages submitted by the teachers at Scotch College with particular praise going once again to the Humanities Department for their rich collection of supporting documents. The moderators also singled out our Personal Project supervisors; commending them for their detailed understanding and application of the assessment criteria.

The reports presented a promising reflection of our students' academic performance with our students out-performing the global average in eleven out of the thirteen sampled subjects.

The intent behind our search for annual feedback from the IBO (which is an optional element of the programme) is self-improvement and not self-congratulation. While is it wonderful to receive praise for the courses of work we design here at Scotch, the more important aspects of the feedback we receive are their suggestions for further improvement. With this in mind, our teachers will move away from a post-task approach to students' self-reflection and towards a free, on-going approach that will include feedback from peers and teachers. We will also continue to drive a focus on integrity through academic honesty. Our aim will be to increase our students' understanding of what constitutes academic dishonesty or malpractice and to up-skill our students in the use of referencing - thus preparing them for the realities of life at university and in the work-place.

The future of the MYP at Scotch College certainly continues to shine brightly and I am looking forward to another successful in which our staff seek to further improve an already praise-worthy programme.

Charlotte Cook-Casey

Middle Years Programme Coordinator

'Academic Workshop' - Peer Tutoring for All Boys in The Residence

The Residence provides the 'Academic Workshop', a staff and peer tutoring programme every day before school. Staff and peer tutors are on roster from 7.45 am to 8.30 am. Boys can drop in for study and organisational support, homework help and incidental one-on-one tuition in specific subjects. There is a Humanities/English as well as Maths/Science staff member on roster every day, and other learning areas are represented once a week. Boys in Year 10 and 11 serve as peer tutors. Peer tutoring is a voluntary programme.

Groups of boys often meet in The Residence in the morning and work in a group with their peers to revise work and prepare for assessments. Boys seeking help do not need to book. Anybody can drop in at any time for as long, or as short, as they wish. Boys' attendance is purely voluntary and no role is taken.

insert link to attached timetable

2015 Parent Teacher Student Interviews (formerly SRMs)

Career Information

Australian Defence Force Academy

Applications for the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) 2016 are now open. Applying for ADFA is a competitive process, which can take 12 months or more, therefore it is recommended that students apply in Year 11. Students are able to apply any time after their 16^th birthday, with parental consent. See the application time line below that is recommended for applicants who are in Year 12 now and who will commence ADFA studies and training in January 2016:

June 2014 - March 2015: Submit an application for ADFA by calling 131901 or by visiting www.defencejobs.gov.au

June 2014 - March 2015: Attend a YOU session in Perth to check eligibility.

January 2015 - May 2015: Attend an Assessment Session in Perth to receive a recommendation to attend an Officer Selection Board.

April 2015 - September 2015: Attend an Officer Selection Board in Canberra and, if successful, receive a job offer (pending completion of Year 12 subjects and university entrance ATAR requirements).

August 2015 - September 2015: Apply through Universities Admissions Centre (UAC - www.uac.edu.au) for entrance to UNSW at ADFA. At the same time, you can also apply to study at another university at your own cost (through TISC if you wish to study in WA), in case you don't receive an ADFA job offer for January 2016.

January 2016: Attend your appointment Ceremony and start your career in the Australian Defence Force as an Army or Air Force Officer Cadet or a Navy Midshipman.

In addition, Year 12 students, are eligible to apply for the ADFA Education Award before the closing date 28 February.

Want to know more?

Attend an ADFA Information Session at Defence Force Recruiting, Level 7, 66 St Georges Terrace, Perth on Tuesday 17 March at 6.30pm.

The University of Notre Dame

Parent Information Evening

Parents of students in Year 10, 11 and 12 are invited to attend Notre Dame's Parent Information Evening to discuss subject selection, course information, the transition from high school to university, and how to apply to Notre Dame. Guest speaker, Robyn Smith (Director of Curriculum, Assessment and Moderation at SCSA) will present on how changes to the WACE curriculum will impact students applying to university from 2017.

Tuesday March 10, 6:30pm - 19 Mouat Street, Fremantle

Medicine Information Session

Students interested in studying Medicine at Notre Dame are invited to attend a Medicine Information Session. Learn about the Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery, the Pre-Medicine Certificate and speak with current Medicine students.

Sunday March 22, 10:30am

School of Medicine, 38 Henry Street, Fremantle

To RSVP, visit www.nd.edu.au or contact the Prospective Students Office on 9433 0533.

Medicine, Dentistry & 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 Medical Admission Test) as following the completion of an undergraduate degree, students who are intending to complete postgraduate studies in either medicine, podiatric medicine or dentistry will be required to sit the GAMSAT (Graduate Medical School Admission 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

For more information please see umat@acer.edu.au or contact Mr Frusher at Scotch.

Mr Frusher will be meeting with all interested Year 12 students following the mid-term break.

TISC Presentation for WA Students

TISC have released a presentation for all year 12 students. The presentation covers all TISC aspects relating to Year 12 including admission requirements, ATAR, the mark adjustment process as well as the application and offer process.

http://www.tisc.edu.au/static/guide/download.tisc

Overseas Exchange 2016

Year 12 students who are considering a GAP Year overseas are encouraged to start thinking about their proposed destinations and to arrange a time to meet with Mr Frusher to discuss the various options available.

Some of the options already advertised are as follows:

Tutors Worldwide handles the recruitment of gap tutors for a good number of schools in the UK. In 2015, despite the continuing recession and changes to visa regulations, they offered 130 gap tutor placements in UK schools to Australian applicants from the age of 17 upwards. Full information regarding the programme offered by Tutors Worldwide can be found at the organisation's website www.tutorsworldwide.org. Please note that the closing date for applications for placements in 2016 is 9 April, 2015.

Projects Abroad 2015/16

The High School Projects are a jam-packed two week group trip with students from all over Australia, New Zealand and around the globe. Students in Year 10 and 11 (11 & 12 in NZ) - typically aged 16 and 17 - can choose to join the groups individually or with friends.

The volunteer trips will run this summer from December 6 to the 19 and January 3 to the 16 in Cambodia, Fiji, Sri Lanka, Nepal and the Philippines.

The projects are a rich mixture of volunteer work and cultural activities, so you can really get to know the country you're in! The projects allow you to:

• Support disadvantaged children in Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Cambodia

• Become part of a traditional village community in Fiji

• Learn to dive and support marine conservation work in Cambodia

• Shadow doctors in medical work experience in Nepal

• Help to reconstruct community buildings and housing devastated by a typhoon in the Philippines

These projects are well supervised, worthwhile and very practical ways to make your summer holidays unforgettable and to travel with a purpose to a developing community a world away!

Perth Information Evening Monday 16 March

For more information go to: www.projects-abroad.com.au or email: info@projects-abroad.com.au

Lattitude Global Volunteering - 2016 applications now open!

Applications are now open for students interested in embarking on a volunteering placement in a new culture and community during their gap year in 2016. Lattitude is the original gap year organisation, having supported young Australians on worthwhile and challenging placements for over 40 years.

Placements are available within our region in Asia/Pacific, or further afield in Europe, the Americas and Africa. Exciting additions to the program next year include Japan as a country option, and Medical Assistant placements which will be ideal for those considering a career in a health profession. To help with costs, they have a number of scholarships available to assist with placement fees or flights to certain countries.

The Lattitude website explains all the details and includes an Application Form for students to download. Application deadline for all placement options this year is Friday 5 June 2015. Further information is also available from Mr Frusher at Scotch College.

Rotary Youth Exchange 2016

Applications are now being accepted for Rotary Youth Exchange for 12 months commencing January 2016. School students who are currently 14-16 years of age are invited to apply.

Details of the Exchange Programme are contained in the initial application form downloadable from the website.

The anticipated countries of exchange for 2016 may vary, but typically include: Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Germany, Finland, France, Italy, Japan, Norway, Switzerland, Sweden andTaiwan.

Application forms are available from your local Rotary Club or may be downloaded from Rotary Youth Exchange website: www.youthexchange.asn.au. Applications close late March 2015.

Casual Employment - Suit University student

The Central Institute of Technology is looking for 2-3, casual in class note takers, computer savvy as they need to take notes electronically for students with Disability, pay is $23 an hour (5-6 hours + a week). It would be suitable work for young people that are looking for casual work whilst studying or looking for more permanent positions.

Mr P Frusher

Careers Adviser

Boys' Achievements

Asad Hosseini (Year 11, St Andrews) won the bronze medal in the U18 200m at the State Athletics Championships. Asad joined us at the end of last year and will no doubt be a welcome addition to our athletics team later in the year.

Stuart McCowan(Year 12, Ferguson) auditioned for a place on piano in one of the three bands that comprise the Western Australian Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO). After a successful audition Stuart was invited to join Big Band Number 2 on piano.

Toby O'Keeffe (Year 10, Stuart) won 3^rd prize from 15 finalists nationally in the Junior division of Tropfest (the world's largest short film festival). Toby was in Sydney in December to hear the announcement and receive his prize.

Josh Quartermaine (Year 9, Alexander) finished in second place at the State Wakeboarding titles over the weekend and has qualified for the National Titles which are in Adelaide April 8 - 11.

Summer Term Upcoming Dates

Parents' Association

BALL TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE

The Scotch College Parents Association biennial Parents Ball is being held on Saturday 14th March 2015.

Tickets for this Black Tie event are $250 per head and can be purchased individually or by tables of 10. Purchase your tickets by visiting the Scotch College website www.scotch.wa.edu.au and click on the "Book a Scotch Event" icon.

The theme for this year's Ball is 'Luxe' and is set in a beautiful silk marquee on the Scotch College playing fields. This luxurious event commences at 6.30pm with pre-dinner drinks including champagne, at 7.00pm a sumptuous three course dinner with matched fine WA wines, boutique beers and bottled water will be served. Entertainment by the spectacular 9-piece soul band 'Stratosfunk' will have you dancing the night away.

The committee is also looking for volunteers to help with set up and clean up. If you can give any assistance please contact Peta Scott-Morey at peta@scott-morey.net

Michelle Barrow Ian Knobel

0412 108 221 0407 285 246

Mothers' Auxiliary

This morning the Mothers' Auxiliary held their AGM and the first meeting for 2015, thank you to all who attended. I would like to thank Sonia Wee our outgoing Secretary who has been a tremendous asset over the past two years. Nothing was ever too much trouble for Sonia and she has been a great shoulder to lean on, the MA will miss her calm attentiveness. I wish our new President Carissa Paganin all the best for the upcoming year and hope to see you all at the next Mothers' Auxiliary meeting on Monday 23 March in the Gooch at 9am.

Last Saturday the Year 12 Ball was held, 'Great Scotch…the Roaring 2015's' this was a sell out and all who attended thoroughly enjoy the evening. Thanks to all the Year 12 parents and students on the committee who have been planning this event since last November. A huge thank you to all the Year 12 parents who helped with the setup and clean-up over the weekend and the Year 11 parents who assisted at the Ball on Saturday evening. A major thank you goes to the 65 Year 10 students who gave up their Saturday night to work tirelessly throughout the evening.

Photographs from the Ball can be ordered via the following website: Due Date for orders Monday 16 March

www.blissstudio.com.au Refer to the Scotch College email sent on Friday 20 for the code to take you to the photographs

Middle School is holding a Parent Sundowner on Thursday 26 February in the Gooch Pavilion. Tickets are $25per head and available on 'Book a Scotch Event' via the Scotch College website. Please get your tickets ASAP as bookings will close tomorrow Tuesday 24 February.

Year 10 Coffee morning - Wednesday 4 March at 8.45 - The Naked Fig, Swanbourne.

Clair Stanley

Mothers' Auxiliary

Basketball End of Season Dinner

Save the date: 1 April 2015 - No joke! The Basketball Support Group will be hosting the annual Basketball dinner. Whilst the timings are yet to be finalised, it typically runs from 6.30pm to 9.30pm and all Basketball players and their parents are welcome to join us for an Americana themed dinner.

More details will be announced closer to the date.

To prepare for the dinner, the Support Group will be having a planning meeting for the dinner in the Scotch College Gym on 4 March at 5.30pm. We would appreciate if you could come along and be involved with the allocation of tasks for the dinner. We know what to do - we just need your help with getting it done.

Karl Hombergen

President

Basketball Parent Support Group

Cricket

Save the date: 31 March 2015 - The annual Cricket dinner.

More details will be announced closer to the date.

Paul Hardisty

President

Cricket Parents Support Group

Old Scotch Collegians would like to join in congratulating the wonderful Ashley Arbuckle (OSC '59) on the award of an Order of Australia recently. Ashley's OAM citation simply reads "For service to the performing arts as an artistic director and classical musician".But in truth, his life's work in music is so much more. Ashley is a relentless and dedicated musician, and has performed, taught, inspired and entertained for his whole musical career.

Ashley was born & educated in Perth. He left Scotch in 1959, and studied music at UWA. He joined the WA Symphony Orchestra soon after & in 1972 was appointed Associate Concertmaster. He left Australia to study in Europe, and by 1974 he was of co-leader of the world famous Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Not being busy enough with that, he also founded the Australian Sinfonia of London. In 1981 Ashley was appointed co-leader of the London Symphony Orchestra and held the position for ten years.

In 1990, Ashley returned to Perth, and to the position of WASO Concertmaster. Sadly, in 1998, he had to stop performing due to a rare neurological condition affecting his coordination. After five years and 26 specialists, an operation was performed by renowned brain surgeon Dr Charles Teo in 2002, which saw his bowing arm return to normal. In 2006 he was able to play again - the classical music world was thrilled to see him return to the international stage.

These days, Ashley is busy as Artistic Director of The String Co-op, a collection of Perth's finest jazz and classical string musicians, as well as Artistic Director of the Western Arts Orchestra, a Chamber Ensemble of 16 players which performs at private and corporate events.

Ash is also Concertmaster and Artistic Director of the WA Philharmonic, renowned for specialising in Film-Score Recording over the past 15 years. Ashley cites the highlight of his career as meeting Lady Di in 1995 after leading the London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican, & playing with the World Orchestra for Peace in Geneva. His musical influences include Stefan Grappelli and Leonard Bernstein.

All the above, however, are merely words. Click on this link to enjoy some of Ashley's beautiful music. Congratulations, Ashley Arbuckle OAM from OSC and the Scorch College Community.

Michael Silbert

President Old Scotch Collegians