Term 3, Week 10 2024
The Torch
Term 3, Week 10 2024
- Whole School Notices
- Junior School Notices
- Senior School Notices
- Sports & Co-Curricular
- Upcoming Events
- Health & Wellbeing
If you would prefer to read a transcript of the above video, please click here.
Important Dates:
Upcoming Events:
When meeting and greeting boys and their families who will begin their Scotch journey next year, I have proudly described the ‘Scotch Family’ and welcomed them into it. I describe the family as a warm and inclusive environment in which everyone looks after each other, celebrates each other and serves each other.
The 2024 Family Day, despite awful weather, was a tangible example of the special family we belong to.
The boys did a remarkable job of showing resilience in the face of adversity and ran with smiles on their faces. Regardless of whether they were in the A or J races, our Scotchies put in their best effort and pushed through the wet and cold conditions.
The staff were wonderful stewards and showed great care for the boys as they each took on their respective challenges. I am grateful for Mr McMahon’s flexibility and the collaboration of the staff when the program had to change.
The family were enormously grateful for the service of the Family Day Auxiliary volunteers who ran the cake stall tent. My thanks go to all who supported this aspect of the day.
The School was grateful for the flexibility of families and the nature in which everyone adapted to the changing conditions.
Whilst Saturday did not meet our ideals with respect to the athletics events, it did shine a bright light on some of the best aspects of the Scotch Family and reinforced the messages I share with future Scotch families.
This week we took a moment to celebrate another tranche of Year 6 Student Leaders. In previous years we have had 16 specific leadership positions. This year we have recognised a greater number of Year 6 boys and done so as a result of their drive and desire to lead within the school. We are all proud of the Year 6 boys who have worked hard to earn their Student Leader badges. Please click here to read about the latest badge winners.
As we look ahead to Term 4, we do so with great excitement and anticipation. However, it is now time to rest and recuperate, ready for a big finish to the year. I hope the boys enjoy the opportunity to separate from the school routine, involve themselves in different activities and recharge their learning batteries.
Tom Savill
Head of Junior School
Junior School Dates
View the key Junior School dates
Music Making in Term 3
Well done to Callum Chiu (Year 6) for his clarinet performance in the weekly series of small ten-minute concerts – ‘Music in the Atrium’. Callum plays the clarinet in the Year 5 and 6 Concert Band. He also plays piano to a high standard and is one of the regular performers on Monday assemblies, playing music whilst boys walk into the room as well as accompanying Advance Australia Fair. Callum is also in the auditioned Glen House Choir. Great work Callum!
Please note that there has been a change of date for the Term 4 Brass & Woodwind Recitals. The new date is Thursday 21 November, the same day as the Years 3 to 6 Piano Recitals.
The combined Year 3 and 4 Brass/Woodwind will begin at 3.45pm in James Campbell Room, followed by the Year 5 & 6 Brass Recital in Ian Roach Hall at 6.30pm, and the Years 5 & 6 Woodwind Recital in Keith Humble Auditorium.
Music Resources
Please note some of the music dates have been changed or updated. Please check the updated document to ensure you have the correct dates.
Sporting Update
Family Day was a true test of the Scotchie spirit. The boys and staff are to be commended for their positive attitude and fortitude in the adverse conditions. Thank you to parents and families for being flexible in the changing conditions and for supporting the school’s efforts to ensure child safety protocols around dismissal were as smooth as possible. Conditions for athletics were very tough and it is hoped that the boys will grow in resilience through their experience.
The final results will stand from the truncated program that eventuated, without any of the events that were cancelled on the day.
The Regional Athletics’ qualifiers will represent the Junior School on Thursday 24 October and will continue to train for their respective events at school.
Please remember that hats return as mandatory PE uniform next term.
Years 5 and 6 Term 3 APS Sport
The final Wednesday of the APS competition was held yesterday, thank you to all involved in the APS sporting programs this term. There are many external coaches, referees and umpires who make the experience for the boys as best as possible. Thank you to staff for your continued expertise and dedication to the boys and their sports.
2024 Snowsports Season
Great work to all those who participated in the 2024 snowsports season. Click here to read a report from Rebecca Lillie, Junior School Snowsports Coordinator.
Term 4 APS Sport Years 5 and 6
Please note the following for Term 4 APS sport:
Year 5 and 6 APS Sport
Click here for the following Year 5 and 6 Interschool Sport information:
It has been a busy and exciting end to Term 3. Our Snowsports and Water Polo teams have concluded their seasons, we celebrated Family Day, and this week our Year 9 – 12 students have been involved in various services and activities programs.
I visited the Cadet students this week, and we were lucky to have a sunny day on the rifle range, exploring the bush and setting up camp. It was wonderful to see the program in action first hand – our boys being led by their peers and old boys, and enjoying time together.
There are many outdoor opportunities this week; sea kayaking, scuba diving, IPP immersions at Tiwi and Lake Mungo, fly fishing, outdoor expeditions and leadership, along with service opportunities and programs like first aid and AFL umpiring.
I am impressed by the Scotch staff’s willingness to share their passions and interests with our students, and to give of their time and energy in setting up and running these experiences. I know they will be grateful for the break to rest and recover.
Our Year 12 students are benefiting from a bespoke revision program from Wednesday this week, run by our staff and external experts. It is an opportunity to consolidate their learning, revise, and start preparing solidly for their end of year examinations.
Family Day showed the true Scotch spirit, as all worked hard in trying weather conditions to make the most of the day. Our auxiliaries and the many parents involved did an amazing job of raising funds, providing much needed refreshments and opportunities for purchases, and our Media, Visual Art and Design Tech departments were able to display the students’ work to a wide audience.
Again, I am so grateful to our amazing staff who, under the guidance of Stuart Powell and his team, ran all the events of the day; the Heads of House and Form teachers who helped rally the students to be involved; and all who put together the event from Operations, Events, Communications, Property and Grounds. As a team, we are capable of so much.
As we head into the term break, as always, there are ongoing opportunities for our students with a training trip to Queensland for our athletes, practice examinations and music masterclasses.
I wish all in our community a safe and restful break. I hope our students unplug and take the opportunity to be in nature, spend time with their family and friends, and enjoy a break from the busy routines of the term.
Staff Update
In Term 4 we will welcome Emmie-Clare Leckie, Mark Rivett and Anne Orgeolet back from long service leave. I hope they have had a wonderful time travelling and enjoying some well-deserved rest.
Thank you to Sophie Cooper, Merriss Shenstone and James Simos, who have covered the teaching loads of these staff.
Mark Rivett will return to his role as Head of Fleming, with Robert Kerins returning as Tutor of 9 Gilray; Emmie-Clare Leckie will return as Head of Monash House, with Evan Pearson resuming his role as Tutor of 12 Monash. Anne Orgeolet will resume her role as Tutor of 10 Eggleston.
I thank Robert Kerins and Evan Pearson for their work as Acting Heads of Fleming and Monash House this term.
Katrina Brennan
Head of Senior School
Essay Prize Competition
The annual Russell and Mary Foreman Essay Prize Competition will be held next term on Tuesday 15 October (Day 6) at 3.30 pm. All senior school students are welcome to enter. Entrants are required to complete an essay in 45 minutes on the topic, What can Australian learn from her past that will help her future? There is a Junior Section (Years 7-9) and a Senior Section (Years 10-12). The winner in each section receives a $250 prize. Entry forms will be available next term.
2025 NASA Tour
We are currently seeking expressions of interest for the 2025 NASA tour. The tour will take place from Thursday 3 July – Wednesday 16 July and is open to boys who will be in Year 8, 9 or 10 in 2025.
View Poster | Register Interest
Please direct any questions to Alex Colussa alex.colussa@scotch.vic.edu.au
8PR, 8OM, 8BT Parents & Guardians Drinks
Parents and guardians of boys in 8PR, 8OM and 8BT are invited to an event on Thursday 10 October at Luton Lane Food & Wine Bar, 8 Luton Lane, Hawthorn at 7.00pm. Tickets are $50 per person for food, drinks can be purchased at bar prices.
Any enquires should be directed to May Lim on 0413616360 or via email may.lim@bigpond.com.
Year 8 Father/Father Figures & Son’s Bowling Afternoon
Fathers or father figures are invited to a bowling afternoon on Sunday 13 October at the Toorak Bowling Club, 9 Mandeville Crescent, Toorak. The event starts at 3.00pm and tickets are $25 per person including a BBQ and one soft drink. Additional drinks are available at club prices.
Please direct any enquiries to Catherine Doggett on 0434317662 or via email catherinejdoggett@gmail.com.
Toorak Uniting Dance Classes for 2025
In 2025 Toorak Uniting Church will be conducting dancing classes over both school semesters for students who will be in Year 10 in 2025 (current Year 9).
Classes run from 8.00pm to 9.30pm on either Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evenings in the first semester and Tuesday or Thursday evenings in the second semester and are not held during school holidays or school camps. Every endeavour is made to fit around school activities. There are eight lessons per semester for a total cost of $235.00 (inc GST).
Boys wishing to participate can access more information and a registration form here or from the Lithgow Reception.
AFL Umpiring Service Visit to AFL Review Centre
Recently our Year 10 AFL Umpiring Service group took a tour of the AFL Review Centre as a part of the service program at Scotch. Click here to read a reflection written by Year 10 student Jarred Munro.
Year 10 Parents End of Year Function
Please save the date for the Year 10 Parents End of Year function on Friday 15 November at Amazon State Restaurant, 329 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn. Booking details will be provided by the Year 10 Class Reps in early Term 4.
Year 9 and 10 Drug Awareness Program
In tutor time this term, our Year 9s are working through the topic of Alcohol and Cannabis. To support conversations at home, we will be sharing a summary of what has been discussed with the boys each week. Please click here for this week’s summary.
Year 11 End of Year Parents Function
The Year 11 parents end of year function will be held on Friday 29 November. Please save the date. Further details will be provided in upcoming editions of The Torch.
Year 12 Candy Coat Award Pockets
Boys in Year 12 needing award pockets done prior to the Valedictory Dinner will need to bring in their candy coats and documentation to the Scotch Shop by Friday 20 September (last day of term). The shop is open 8.00am-4.00pm on Friday.
Year 12 Class of 2024 Valedictory Dinner
Year 12 Students, Parents and Guardians, are warmly invited to the Scotch College Class of 2024 Valedictory Dinner hosted by the Old Scotch Collegians’ Association on Tuesday 22 October. The evening will be held at Centrepiece, Melbourne park at 6.30pm. Student tickets are $170, parent/guardian tickets are $190.
The dress code is lounge suit and after five attire. Students wear full winter uniform and a candy coat. Candy coats are available for hire through the swap shop. Please refer to the email sent to parents for more information regarding table bookings. Venue information can be found here.
VCE Practice Exams
Practice exams for VCE students will be held from Sunday 6 October until Tuesday 8 October.
All Year 12 students sitting exams are required to be at school by 11.30am for a 12.00pm start on Sunday 6 October to sit their English / EAL / English Language / Literature exam. Year 11 students studying a Unit 3-4 subject will have their practice exam scheduled on Monday 7 October. There will be no classes for Year 12 students on Tuesday 8 October, Year 11 students will be attending class as per normal.
Neat casual attire is acceptable for Sunday and full school uniform is required on Monday and Tuesday.
Please click here to view the timetable.
Important Dates for Boarders
Please note the below event dates for Year 12 boarding parents and guardians. Further details and invitations will be sent closer to each event.
Future Pathways Newsletter
Read the latest issue of the Future Pathways Newsletter
This edition features information on:
Career Conversations at Home
Join Tyson Day, the Co-Founder and Lead Facilitator of Arrive & Thrive, on Wednesday 16 October as he shares the best way to have impactful career conversations in and around your home environment that produce clarity, career discovery, and momentum. Tyson will share concepts and practices that he has learned through his 10+ years of experience in career education and the 85,000 students who have attended Arrive & Thrive workshops since 2019.
In the webinar, you can expect to learn:
View this weekend’s APS Sports fixture
Spring Sport
View the latest copy of the Spring sports programme.
Athletics Family Day – Quarter and Flyer Results
Despite some challenging conditions, the school did extremely well on Saturday to get through as much of the programme. For safety reasons, we were unable to get through the jumps, hurdles and some of the circular track sprint events.
Winners of the House and Interform competition will be communicated to the boys at Memorial Hall and year level assemblies.
Please see below for winners of the Quarter and Flyer events.
Scotch Quarter:
Scotch Flyer:
Firsts Open Tennis Training
The Open Firsts Tennis squad will start back on the student free day on Monday 7 October at 8.30am. Boys are asked to meet on the Montgomery courts.
Athletics Holiday Training
The Athletics squad is building nicely towards the APS senior and junior finals. We encourage all boys to train over the holidays and have sessions as communicated below:
Week 1
Week 2
Montgomery Club Notice of AGM
The Montgomery Club (the Scotch Hockey Auxiliary) welcomes all Scotch Hockey parents to the Montgomery Club 2024 Annual General Meeting to be held on Sunday 20 October at 4pm.
Pipes and Drums Concert
Saturday 21 September
You are invited to an evening of Scottish music featuring the Scotch College Pipes & Drums bands and special guests, including highland dancers. This promises to be an entertaining event and an exciting showcase of talent. The popular concert sold out last year, so be quick and book your tickets today!
The concert will take place on Saturday 21st September at 7.30pm in the Geoffrey McComas Theatre (GMT). Doors open at 7pm.
Tickets are $30 for students/concession and $45 for adults (includes refreshments at the interval)
A Night of Two Concertos
Saturday 12 October
Scotch College Pro-Musica Orchestra proudly presents A Night of Two Concertos featuring Amberley Bremner performing Addinsell’s Warsaw Concerto and Leon Fei performing Sibelius’ Violin Concerto. This will take place at 7.30pm in the Ian Roach Hall
Jazz Cabaret
Saturday 19 October
The music department warmly invites you to the Jazz Cabaret on Saturday 19 October in the Boykett Room, Cardinal Pavilion with special guest Mat Jodrell Quintet. Doors open at 6.30pm for a 7.00pm start, tickets are $35.
Please direct enquiries to Chris Farrands at Chris.Farrands@scotch.vic.edu.au
Form 8PR, 8OM, 8BT Parents & Guardians Drinks
Parents and guardians of boys in 8PR, 8OM and 8BT are invited to an event on Thursday 3 October at Luton Lane Food & Wine Bar, 8 Luton Lane, Hawthorn at 7.00pm. Tickets are $50 per person for food, drinks can be purchased at bar prices.
Any enquires should be directed to May Lim on 0413616360 or via email may.lim@bigpond.com.
Year 8 Father/Father Figures & Son’s Bowling Afternoon
Fathers or father figures are invited to a bowling afternoon on Sunday 13 October at the Toorak Bowling Club, 9 Mandeville Crescent, Toorak. The event starts at 3.00pm and tickets are $25 per person including a BBQ and one soft drink. Additional drinks are available at club prices.
Please direct any enquiries to Catherine Doggett on 0434317662 or via email catherinejdoggett@gmail.com.
Year 10 Parents End of Year Function
Please save the date for the Year 10 Parents End of Year function on Friday 15 November at Amazon State Restaurant, 329 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn. Booking details will be provided by the Year 10 Class Reps in early Term 4.
Year 12 Class of 2024 Valedictory Dinner
Year 12 Students, Parents and Guardians, are warmly invited to the Scotch College Class of 2024 Valedictory Dinner hosted by the Old Scotch Collegians’ Association on Tuesday 22 October. The evening will be held at Centrepiece, Melbourne park at 6.30pm. Student tickets are $170, parent/guardian tickets are $190.
The dress code is lounge suit and after five attire. Students wear full winter uniform and a candy coat. Candy coats are available for hire through the swap shop. Please refer to the email sent to parents for more information regarding table bookings. Venue information can be found here.
Cricket Season Opening Dinner
The McLeod Club warmly invites the Scotch Cricket Community to celebrate the opening of the 2024/2025 cricket season in the Boykett Room, Cardinal Pavilion, on Wednesday 30th October. There will be an auction on the night with fantastic prizes and special guest speaker Andrew Fekete, Australian Test player, BBL. All year levels are welcome (including new Year 7 families). A booking link will be provided in the coming weeks.
Red Army Artist Collective Art exhibition
Friday 4 October – Saturday 26 October
RAAC is a grass-roots collective of young artists doing their thing in the creative world after graduating from Art and Design courses at Scotch College Melbourne over recent years. This exhibition is a celebration of the different directions that each of these talented artists has travelled since completing their studies at the college. It is guaranteed to be young, fresh and full of life. The exhibition will be held at the Ladder Art Space, 81 Denmark Street Kew from Friday 4 October – Saturday 26 October.
2024 Annual Spring Gala Luncheon
Friday 1 November – all members of the Scotch community are welcome.
Bookings are now open for the 2024 Spring Gala Lunch hosted by the Scotch College Music Auxiliary on Friday 1 November 2024 at the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club. Enjoy an afternoon of live music, delicious food, spectacular raffles and silent auctions, thanks to the generous donations from parents and businesses in the local community. Guest speakers include current parents Ron Murray and Sarah James, a unique musical duo that blends Indigenous Australian and Celtic sounds.
Each week in The Torch, our Psychology and Health teams explore a topic related to boys’ health and wellbeing. This week we are talking about bullying.
Bullying is an ongoing or repeated misuse of power in relationships, with the intention to cause deliberate psychological harm. Bullying behaviours can be verbal, physical or social. It can happen in person or online, via various digital platforms and devices and it can be obvious or hidden. Bullying in any form or for any reason can have immediate, medium and long-term effects on those involved, including bystanders.
Despite the efforts made to reduce bullying behaviours, Australian research tells us that one in four students still report being bullied every few weeks. However, not all negative behaviour should be considered bullying. The key difference is that bullying does not stop on its own. It’s important young people learn how to identify behaviours that are rude, behaviours that are mean, and behaviours that are related to bullying.
Often the reasons for bullying can be complex. Some young people do it to get approval from others, some do it to regain control, whilst others may do it because it makes them feel safe. Supporting young people as they work through their emotions will help them unpack the motivation and reason behind the behaviour.
Please click here to learn more about helping your son identify bullying.
As always, if you have any concerns about your son, please contact Nick Clark at psychologist@scotch.vic.edu.au or seek medical or professional help.
