Term 4, Week 3 2024
The Torch
Term 4, Week 3 2024
- Whole School Notices
- Junior School Notices
- Senior School Notices
- Sports & Co-Curricular
- Upcoming Events
- Health & Wellbeing
As we reach the culmination of the academic year, it is with immense pride that we celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of the Class of 2024. This cohort has demonstrated exceptional dedication and perseverance, culminating in an exceptional final week filled with memorable moments.
The Presentation Evening was a true testament to the diverse talents and hard work of our students. From thought-provoking speeches to captivating performances, the evening highlighted the unique qualities that each student brings to our community. It was a night of celebration and reflection, marking the end of an incredible journey and the beginning of promising futures.
The Valedictory Dinner was equally touching, offering a moment of gratitude and inspiration. It was great to see the boys dancing with their Mums, be inspired by our excellent Pipes and Drums and enjoy the always touching performance from Mr Michael Waugh as he sang some of his songs to an appreciative audience. I know everyone who attended had a great night and we thank Mr Scott Montgomery and Mrs Caroline Taylor who hosted the event on behalf of OSCA.
In the realm of athletics, our team’s remarkable second-place finish at the recent APS Carnival deserves special commendation. The athletes showcased extraordinary skill, determination, and sportsmanship, securing a position of honour among fierce competition. Their success is a reflection of their rigorous training and unwavering commitment to excellence. Well done team and thank you to Mr Stuart Powell for his leadership of this program.
Furthermore, this week, the Cadets, Military Band and Pipes and Drums have again made us proud with their exemplary Tattoo event. Each group’s precision, discipline, and dedication were evident in every aspect of the performance, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended.
To the Class of 2024, the Athletics team, and our Cadets, Military Band and Pipes and Drums, congratulations on your remarkable achievements. Your hard work and spirit have set a high standard, and you have truly made our community proud. We look forward to seeing your continued success in the future.
Dr Scott Marsh
Principal
Important Dates:
Upcoming Events:
Scotch Tennis Season Launch Breakfast
The Scotch Tennis Serve & Volley Auxiliary invite you to the Annual Season Launch Breakfast on Friday 8 November at Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club.
The event will feature Ian Goolagong as a special guest speaker. Uncle Ian Goolagong is a Wiradjuri Elder and a strong cultural man. It will be a special experience for the Scotch boys to meet Uncle Ian and to hear about his life and perspectives as an Aboriginal tennis player navigating 1970’s and 80’s Australian society, as well as his professional tennis highlights including being the only Aboriginal man to have played at Wimbledon.
Tickets are limited, so get in early, please note that all boys attending will require a ticket.
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).
View Invitation | Book Tickets
Contributions are needed for the Raffle and Auction. The funds raised by the McLeod Club, run by passionate volunteers, support the Scotch cricket program. If you have something to contribute, please get in touch with Mili Berera on 0431536423 or miliberera2706@gmail.com
Last Friday we welcomed the new cohort of boys beginning in Year 4 in 2025. We frequently reference the warmth of the Scotch Family and this day was very much a tangible reminder of this. The boys in Year 3 did a superb job of connecting with their new peers and helping them feel settled at their new school. I am grateful for their efforts but also the time given by a few parents in the cohort who came and met new parents in the morning to help begin building connections to the community.
For Year 3 boys, old and new, last Friday was a unique challenge. For our Year 2 boys, tonight will be a challenge as they tackle their ‘Year 2 Sleepover’. The challenge has been heightened this year with the boys sleeping at school on a Thursday and staying at school for a day of activities on the Friday. In previous years, the sleepover has been on a Friday and the boys have gone home early on the Saturday. The increased challenge more accurately reflects a ‘camp’ situation and will hopefully set the boys up for success when they head off-campus in Year 3 for their residential camp at Cowes (we wish our Year 3 boys well as they embark on their Cowes camp next week).
A final thank you to all of the Year 4 and 6 families that attended the Parent Session run by Sex Education Australia (SEA) on Monday. Following feedback from the community and an internal review, we have begun our Sex Education program earlier and engaged the Year 4 cohort in foundational learning. I hope the families who attended found the advice given by Justine from SEA useful as she laid out the age-appropriate program the boys will engage in, alongside some useful tips and advice for parents in starting and managing conversations.
Next week promises to be another busy one. We wish our Year 6 boys well as they prepare for their annual Drama performances.
Have a wonderful weekend when it comes.
Tom Savill
Head of Junior School
A reminder of the upcoming Parent Information Coffee Mornings to be held in the Junior School Library from 8.00am to 8.40am:
Junior School Dates
View the key Junior School dates
SOS Time in Term 4
This term in SOS (Serve Others at Scotch) groups, the boys will be collecting food to make a Christmas Hamper for those less fortunate. Today we welcomed a spokesperson from Anglicare who talked about their valuable contribution to the communities in need and the concept of Christmas Hampers.
On Thursday 14 November, Year 1 to 6 boys will meet in their SOS groups to discuss the different food items for the hampers. Each boy will be asked to bring in one item but are most welcome to bring in more if they would like. Items will be stored in the classrooms of the teachers in charge of their individual SOS groups.
On Thursday 28 November in their SOS meetings, the boys will pack their items into hampers and write gift cards ready to help people at Christmas. A list of the foods needed for the hampers is available here if you would like to get organised.
Collection will start on Friday 15 November and finish on Thursday 28 November. Please do not bring items in before 15 November. Thanks in advance for supporting our efforts to Serve Others at Scotch.
2024 Annual Spring Gala Luncheon
The Music Auxiliary warmly invites you to the 2024 Spring Gala Lunch 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. Please view the raffle and silent auction items available here. Guest speakers include current parents Ron Murray and Sarah James, a unique musical duo that blends Indigenous Australian and Celtic sounds.
State Finals Poetry Competition
As the prelude to Melbourne German Week, the Primary State Final of the German Poetry Competition was held at the Austrian Club last Saturday 19 October.
Four students from the Junior School attended with their families and recited their poem to official judges:
Year 5: Jenson Ooi, Aiden Natarajan
Year 6: Sebastian Khaw, Isaac Khoo
To participate in the State Final, boys in Years 4, 5 and 6 competed for Gold, Silver and Bronze at the Regional Finals last term. There were 14 Regional Finals held across regional and metropolitan Victoria for primary students of AGTV member schools. Congratulations to all boys who attended the Regional Finals and the Year 5 and 6 boys who were invited to the State Finals.
Boys, parents and Frau Hohlweg enjoyed the beautiful traditional venue, German speciality cakes such as Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte and valuable conversations while waiting for the Prize Ceremony. Scotch achieved fantastic results, with three boys being State Final prize winners.
Congratulations to all boys for successful German poetry recitals and competitions this year.
Years 3 to 6 Chapel Service
Well done to Dylan Pai, Devin Lin, Sebastian Khaw, Luke Heng and Ryan Ye for their lovely String Ensemble performance in Chapel on Tuesday. The boys performed String Quintet in C Major by Luigi Boccherini.
Year 5 and 6 Concert
Thursday 14 November will showcase the bi-annual Year 5 & 6 Concert. All Year 5 and 6 ensembles are focused and working on polishing their repertoire. It is now even more important that all boys attend each rehearsal on time. It is expected that all boys attend rehearsals (unless they are on camp) if they are to perform with an ensemble at the concert.
A letter will be emailed in the next few weeks regarding logistics. This will be sent to all families in Years 5 and 6 and selected families from Year 3 and 4 whose son is involved in these ensembles.
Year 5 and 6 Percussion Recital
Congratulations to all boys who performed in the Year 5 and 6 Percussion Recital on Wednesday night. It was lovely to hear individual boys perform in front of their families and to listen to the wide array of instruments being used. Well done boys!
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.
Term 4 APS Sport Years 5 and 6
Please note the following for Term 4 APS sport:
Click here for the following Year 5 and 6 Interschool Sport information:
APS Sport 2025
In the coming weeks, current Year 4 and 5 boys will need to choose their Term 1 APS Sport for 2025. Boys will need to complete the Google Form on the PE Canvas page. The choices are cricket, tennis, table tennis, swimming, and softball. One sport is chosen every term.
2025 APS Sport training times:
The interschool competition is held during school on Wednesdays from 1.30pm. The fixtures are available on the intranet and spectators are warmly invited.
General questions can be directed to juniorschoolsport@scotch.vic.edu.au
It has been a wonderful week in the Senior School.
I thank all our Year 12 parents for their support and for encouraging their sons to show such respect and care for each other, their school and their teachers. The Big Day Out, Presentation Evening, Torch Ceremony and Valedictory dinner were all excellent events. The boys have finished the year in a wonderful manner, and I commend them for this. I wish students all the best for their examinations and am looking forward to seeing them at Scotch events in the coming years.
Our Athletics team showed a great spirit of camaraderie and competitiveness on Saturday. They were narrowly beaten by Melbourne Grammar by a margin of only 6.5 points, to come second overall. The team showed a wonderful attitude in seeing the loss as a gain on last year’s result and, in the words of their leader, Stuart Powell, they have “unfinished business” leading into next year and seem determined to do even better in 2025.
The Cadets enjoyed a Presentation evening last week and the parade and Tattoo this week. It was an opportunity to thank our outgoing Year 12 contributors, parents and staff, and to reflect on this important program in the school.
Katrina Brennan
Head of Senior School
Wednesday Services Program 2025
All current Year 8-11 boys have now attended sessions on the 2025 Wednesday Services and Activities Program offerings. Please click here for further details on the programs available.
The online portal for boys to submit their preferences is now open and will close on Friday 1 November. Boys may submit their preferences at any point within this period – allocations are not made on a first-come, first-served basis.
Year 8 Alcohol Awareness Program
Year 8 students continued the alcohol awareness programme this week via the Our Futures platform and facilitated by Form teachers. This week’s programme focused on identifying sources of pressure to drink alcohol, looking at reasons why some teenagers choose to drink or not to drink, and dispelling some myths about alcohol.
Year 9 and 10 Future Pathways
This week, Year 9 boys heard from Head of Future Pathways, Ophelia Hopkins, and Director of Years 9 & 10, Emma Gates, about the structure of VCE and the exciting opportunities available as they journey into the final years of school.
Slides of the information presented are available here. In the session, the boys were encouraged to work on their persistence, effort and consistency, as they head into Year 10 as these are key skills needed for success in the VCE. They were also encouraged to start exploring their strengths and interests, considering how opportunities that place them outside of their comfort zone at school may help them filter their likes and dislikes in a more informed way.
During the remainder of term, tutors will be working through some key concepts such as career aspirations and goal setting for next year. Year 9 boys may find taking the Morrisby Aspirations Quiz helpful in starting some interesting careers conversations at home, especially when paired with their results in the Careers Cluster work earlier this term.
In last week’s Torch, information on the Year 9 Work Experience Program for 2025 was provided. Click here for last weeks’ notice.
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 the coming weeks.
VCE Exam Information
VCE written exams begin for most students on Tuesday 29 October with the English exam, and conclude on Wednesday 20 November. A full timetable of exams is available here.
Scotch-specific information (which will be regularly updated during the examination period) is available here. Each student has previously received an individualised timetable.
Please assist your son to arrive a minimum of 45 minutes before the scheduled exam start time. Delays due to transport problems or traffic congestion need to be factored into your planning.
If your son is running late please call the VCE Office on 9810 4263. We can make arrangements to fast-track entry into the exam venue.
If your son is feeling unwell or other personal issues are impacting him please call the VCE Office for advice. Arrangements can be made for students who are unwell or experiencing duress. Any applications for consideration for an exam will be looked on more favourably for students who attend exams. A medical certificate covering any illness will also be required.
If you have any questions, please contact Tom Hawkins, VCE Coordinator, at tom.hawkins@scotch.vic.edu.au or your sons Head of House.
VTAC Change of Preference
The first draft of the change of preference dates, events and contacts is now available here. As this document is updated over the coming weeks, each new version will be shared with parents.
A reminder to parents that the Future Pathways team will be running a Zoom meeting to explain the change of preference period on Wednesday 11 December at 5.30pm. It is important that both parents and boys attend the Zoom session.
Monash, RMIT, Melbourne and Deakin Universities will be available at Scotch on Thursday 12 December for brief interviews, so that students can clarify course details and entry requirements.
Upcoming VTAC dates:
Year 11 Students Undertaking VCE Examinations
With many Year 11 students enrolled to sit VCE Units 3 and 4 examinations in the coming weeks, please note the expectations regarding time off school for revision, prior to the examination.
If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact your son’s Head of House.
Year 11 End-of-Year Parents Function
The Year 11 Parents End-of-Year Function will be held on Friday 29 November at Amazon State, Martelle Lounge, (329 Burwood Road, Hawthorn) from 7.00pm. Tickets are $55 per person, including canapes and a welcome drink on arrival. Additional drinks can be purchased at bar prices.
Year 12 Parents and Guardians Final Exams Celebration
The Year 12 parent reps warmly invite parents and guardians to a final exams celebration on Tuesday 29 October at 8.45am. The event will take place at the Parsons’ family home. There is no cost involved for this event.
RSVP: Tomorrow, Friday 25 October
Term 4 Activities for Boarders
The below activities have been planned for boarders for Term 4. Please note that activities are dependent on student numbers.
For further information, contact Daniel Brosche, Activities Co-ordinator via email at Daniel.brosche@scotch.vic.edu.au
International Chemistry Quiz
Congratulations to Witter Onggara and Gevin Kankanamalage in Year 11 for achieving a perfect score on the International Chemistry Quiz.
Future Pathways Newsletter
Read the latest issue of the Future Pathways Newsletter
This edition features information on:
View this weekend’s APS Sports fixture
Summer Sport
The broader summer sports programme started this week. There are limited fixtures this weekend. A reminder that the year level groups indicated refer to the upcoming season competition. For example, current Year 10 and 11 classes are now in the Open age groups, current Year 9s are in Year 10 for Term 4 sport, etc.
Current Year 8s will begin their summer sport commitments in Week 4, due to school camp.
A reminder that several indoor sports are Firsts teams only, due to facilities being used for examinations and no APS competition provided. These sport programmes include Badminton, Futsal, Table Tennis and Volleyball. Non-firsts teams and Lawn Bowls is Term 1 only.
View the latest copy of the Summer Sports Program
Athletics – APS Final Day
On Saturday, the Scotch College Athletics squad has completed the season with an impressive second placing at the APS finals. After a slow start to the day, the squad performed exceptionally to draw within half a point of Melbourne Grammar in the latter stages of the day. Despite the boys best efforts, we fell 6.5 points short. A huge thanks to all boys in the squad and additionally to the 300 athletes who participated throughout the broader season.
There were some exceptional performances on the day with 13 first places, 10 second places and 11 third places.
Some of the best performances were:
While it was an exciting conclusion to the season, I strongly encourage our boys to commit to this programme going forward. The school has not won an APS Athletics premiership since 1978. We are positioned to challenge next year and would be an amazing outcome for all involved.
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 shortly.
Year 11 Parents End-of-Year Function
The Year 11 Parents End-of -Year Function will be held on Friday 29 November at Amazon State, Martelle Lounge, (329 Burwood Road, Hawthorn) from 7.00pm. Tickets are $55 per person, including canapes and a welcome drink on arrival. Additional drinks can be purchased at bar prices.
Year 12 Parents and Guardians Final Exams Celebration
Tuesday 29 October
The Year 12 parent reps warmly invite Year 12 parents and guardians to the final exams celebration on Tuesday 29 October at 8.45am. The event will take place at the Parsons’ family home. There is no cost involved for this event.
View Invitation | Book Tickets
RSVP: Tomorrow, Friday 25 October
Book Chat with the Library Auxiliary
The Library Auxiliary warmly invites all parents and guardians to the final Book Chat of the year, tomorrow, Friday 25 October in the Donaldson Room of the Tolson Building. The event will kick off at 8.45am with morning tea, followed by the book chat.
Come along and share an interesting book you have read or discover book recommendations from others in a welcoming and friendly environment. Michelle Sweeney, our librarian, will share her own recommendations for parents and boys. A lovely morning tea will is provided and it is a great way to connect with other parents.For catering purposes, please RSVP to scotchlibraryauxiliary@gmail.com if you would like to attend the Book Chat.
Please note the Annual General Meeting will be held at 10.00am, following the book chat, and everyone is welcome to attend. If you’re interested in joining the committee or have any questions, please email scotchlibraryauxiliary@gmail.com.
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 30 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).
View Invitation | Book Tickets
Contributions are needed for the Raffle and Auction. The funds raised by the McLeod Club, run by passionate volunteers, support the Scotch cricket program. If you have something to contribute, please get in touch with Mili Berera on 0431536423 or miliberera2706@gmail.com
We hope to see you there for a fantastic night!
Red Army Artist Collective Art exhibition
Friday 4 October – Saturday 26 October
This week is the final chance to view the RAAC exhibition Just Doing It as well as At the Forest by the Sea, an exhibition by our Head of Art, Yudha Scholes, at Ladder Gallery in Kew.
The event will close on Saturday 26 October with a special event – Improvised Jazz inspired by the artworks. See more details here.
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. Please view the raffle and silent auction items available here. Guest speakers include current parents Ron Murray and Sarah James, a unique musical duo that blends Indigenous Australian and Celtic sounds.
Scotch Tennis Season Launch Breakfast
The Scotch Tennis Serve & Volley Auxiliary invite you to the Annual Season Launch Breakfast on Friday 8 November at Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club.
The event will feature Ian Goolagong as a special guest speaker. Uncle Ian Goolagong is a Wiradjuri Elder and a strong cultural man. It will be a special experience for the Scotch boys to meet Uncle Ian and to hear about his life and perspectives as an Aboriginal tennis player navigating 1970’s and 80’s Australian society, as well as his professional tennis highlights including being the only Aboriginal man to have played at Wimbledon.
Tickets are limited, so get in early, please note that all boys attending will require a ticket.
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 sexting.
As teens develop an interest in sex, technology and apps make sexting easy, and acceptable amongst today’s youth. However, many parents are shocked to learn that children as young as 10 are sending naked pictures of themselves to friends and classmates via text and social media. This type of behaviour is seeping into primary school playgrounds causing irreversible damage to young minds.
Sending this type of content is problematic for a child of any age, but over the years there has been a staggering increase of pre-teens using mobile phones to share sexual images and videos. Not only is this type of behaviour detrimental to a young person’s moral and ethical wellbeing, it also has legal implications placing them at risk of a criminal record.
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.
