Scotch College

Scotch breaks off for Burma – and China

Words: Keiron Jones • Head of Year 12

Rattling tins and organising breakdancing events, Scotch students and staff raised more than $3,000 to help repair and reconstruct schools in cyclone-devastated Burma and earthquake-ravaged China.

They have donated $1,000 to School Aid’s Burma Emergency Appeal and $2,000 to World Vision’s China Earthquake Appeal. School Aid is a student-led philanthropy program which enables schoolchildren to help other children in need.

Scotch boys at all levels rattled tins. As well, Dr Jixing Xu of the Language Department together with Kenny Wang and Yang Li (both year 12) helped to organise a breakdancing competition, which about 250 boys attended.

Kenny Wang said that the earthquake in China had ‘shocked and rippled through all of us’.

‘Dr Xu initiated the emergency relief and Yang Li and I were asked to help’, Kenny said. ‘Immediately, the thought of a breakdance performance came into our minds.

‘Kai Nagao led the squad of year 11 and 12 boys, and demonstrated extreme fluidity and technique in his dancing. This was challenged by Hiroki Hoshino’s inverted hand-hops and various moves; however, both were in awe of Andrew McIntosh’s sheer strength and the ferocity of Michael Kwong’s dancing.

‘Josh Li and Alistair Chong continuously owned the dance floor. Then Adam Tie, Mark Lym and Kaedom Tin used hip-hop dancing.

‘About 250 boys and staff turned up to cheer on the breakers, and within one hour we raised $400. The Scotch community raised another $1,600 to come up with a total of $2,000.

‘My thanks to Dr Xu, Mr Savage, Mr Kong, the library staff, Mr Williams, Mr McWhinney, Ms Jones, Mr Ferguson, and finally the MC, Yang Li. GS