Clan | Edition #130

UNITING THE SCOTCH COMMUNITY

Reaching new heights Edition 130 | September 2020

8

School Captain

10 Service Council

15 Meet Your Leaders

18 We Will Rock You

20 NAIDOC Week

26 Year 8 | Community Project

28 Pastoral Care

29 Outdoor Education

41 Archives

In this issue‌ Clan is a periodic news pictorial for the Scotch College community.

Clan Š Scotch College 2020

3 Headmaster

15 Meet Your Leaders

5 Chaplain

21 Junior School

6 Council

24 Middle School

7 Foundation

UPDATE

27 Senior School

Editor: Samantha Leung

8

School Captain

30 Boarding

Design: PaperScout

9

Student Council

32 Sports

Front cover: Year 12 students including jumper Ivan Munoz Morillo and lifters Sam White and Will van Uffelen win a lineout against Guildford Grammar School, photograph: Derren Hall

10 Service Council

41 Archives

12

45 Old Scotch Collegians

Teaching and Learning

13 Wellbeing

Dr Alec O’Connell

Headmaster

A Scotch College Education is an Investment – Not a Cost “For the mind does not require filling like a bottle, but rather, like wood, it only requires kindling.”– Plutarch COVID-19, and the financial challenges it poses, might tempt parents to consider short-term financial savings by sacrificing sending a child to an Independent School such as Scotch College. However, there is no such thing as a short-term gain or quick fix in a complex world, and 2021 and beyond will prove to be no different.

In Duncan Hughes’ article in The Australian Financial Review, he reports that “elite private schools are warning that school fee discounts and rebates introduced to help parents suffering income losses because of COVID-19 cannot be extended beyond 2021… the ‘viability and sustainability’ of their teaching will be jeopardised unless full fees are restored and, in many cases, increased to meet rising salary costs and offset the loss of revenue from… students.”

While on balance, I appreciate this editorial line, schools nevertheless have to face reality and do their bit during challenging economic times. This may include having to re-examine their respective fees and expenditure, determining just what is necessary versus what has become entrenched as a result of not making tougher decisions over a number of years. Things we are used to having may not be essential in these times of challenge.

We must ensure that we do everything to encourage our current and future families’ ongoing investment in our school.

The return on investment from good schooling is exponential. We rarely measure an investment by short-term returns and measuring the value of an education should be treated no differently.

There is a perception that Year 12 graduation is the culmination of a student’s school life and that all you have to do is secure a good score – something you can get for very little financial expenditure in a non-Independent School. At Scotch however, we see Year 12 as the beginning of a journey, with the value of a Scotch education compounding year upon year and continuing well after graduation.

Graduation is the starting line for the rest of our students’ lives. Our goal is not simply to get students there but to support all our students to arrive confident and equipped to begin their next chapter, whatever that may be.

Preparing Boys for Life Our three education pathways aim to prepare boys for life. In addition to the standard Western Australian Certificate

of Education (WACE) and Vocational Education and Training (VET) pathway, we offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma – a world-renowned and recognised programme known for providing the highest quality education.

While supporting our students to achieve their potential in their ATAR and IB scores is important to us, we believe the values and community that we foster at school is the greater gain. We have been developing our values and traditions since the school was founded in 1897 and this is a journey that will never end for us. At its heart, the College is a progressive institution that strives for individuality, integrity, excellence, service and respect.

We are well known for our traditions and our students’ academic schooling is balanced by many co-curricular opportunities including Service, Outdoor Education at the Moray Outdoor Education campus, and a lifetime connection with the Scotch community through the Old Scotch Collegians (OSC).

Our End to Enders Bibbulmun Track experience, which is completed in stages from Years 7–12, sees Scotch boarding students commence the 1,000-kilometre

Salaries are always the greatest expense in schools and those working in education cannot expect annual salary increases to continue when the rest of society faces freezes and, in many cases, significant cuts to salary and jobs. Schools will have to shoulder their part of the burden of readjusting and, where required, cutting their cloth to ensure they come out of COVID-19 just as strong, or even stronger than when they entered this unique period.

Making an Investment Selecting a school is like making an investment, and for many families, it is the biggest investment they will make.

Headmaster Dr Alec O’Connell with Middle School students at the Highland Games

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trail from the Perth Hills to Albany in an exercise of resilience, self-awareness and independence.

Our Community Our connection between past, current and future students remains strong. In our students’ final rite of passage, March Out, Year 12s are greeted by College alumni as they march from the grounds, marking their transition from childhood to adulthood.

The ongoing value of an Independent School education, such as we offer, has not gone unnoticed by our graduates and the value is certainly not measured within a context of financial rewards.

As Perth went into isolation for COVID-19 in March, our students reached out to past students in their 80s and 90s. For those who are incredibly isolated and at such high risk to hear from young people and feel connected to their community is without measure. This exemplifies the community for life that Scotch is dedicated to providing.

At the College this extended community is past families and past students – our OSCs. Far more than a social association, the OSC is a significant professional network for past, current and future students, and a community that provides mentoring, professional development and support. In a normal year we hold more than 30 OSC events, from sporting and social gatherings to reunions and networking opportunities.

I recently reached out to one of our notable alumni Gavin Bunning (OSC 1957) and he spoke of how the College had taught him the importance of teamwork – a lesson that has been of great value to him throughout his life.

In Gavin’s own words: “In the business world people often think it is all about them, but the best leaders know how to get the best out of people and how to earn their respect. As a leader you need to learn not to take yourself too seriously – the College instilled that in me.”

“When seeking people for managerial positions, I was always looking for an allrounder – someone who had had a go at a variety of things and Scotch provides the opportunities for boys to do that.”

Now, more than ever, we need to start thinking about school fees as an investment – this is an investment you are making in your child’s future, not a cost to be saved due to challenging times. At Scotch you are investing in a community for life and fostering values and networks for your son that will continue long past his school years.

References Hughes, D., ‘Fee relief must finish, elite schools warn’, The Australian Financial Review, 29–30 August 2020, p. 2, https://www.afr.com/policy/health-and-education/eliteschools-warn-parents-fee-rebates-will-have-to-stop20200828-p55q7g (accessed 3 September 2020).

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Director of Finance and Corporate Services Paul Davidson and Headmaster Dr Alec O’Connell

Scotch’s Paul Davidson Finally Balances his Work-Life Ledger After 16 dedicated years of financial integrity, unwavering service to staff, students, Council and the Scotch community, and incredible stewardship of our financial and capital resources, Paul Davidson will complete his time in charge of everything that matters outside of the classroom.

modelling, or demonstrating constant dedication to doing the right thing. One thing is for certain, Paul’s moral compass never left due North.

As Headmaster there are many important roles that one comes into contact with, and upon which you rely. However, the relationship between Headmaster and Chief Financial Officer is seminal to the College’s functioning and success.

The role of Bursar and now Director of Finance and Corporate Services are positions that Paul has held with distinction.

To succeed in this portfolio – and one assumes that to be successful – high business acumen is a given, which Paul has in spades. Paul’s real success in this role stems from the personal charisms he brought to it.

It has been a pleasure to call Paul a colleague and friend, and I am left with a deep sense of honour and thankfulness that I was able to spend almost 10 years working so closely with him. We have both pondered over the past 12–18 months and the unpredictable challenges they have presented. The one thing I do know for certain is that we are able to face all the challenges which lie ahead because of the commitment, financial stewardship and service of Paul Davidson.

In his personal life, Paul is an incredibly dedicated husband and father, and a man of unwavering Christian faith. It is these qualities that have given Paul the sustenance to undertake his substantial role, while trying to strike a work-life balance along his journey.

On behalf of the community and my own family, I wish Trish, Paul and their daughters Isabelle and Sophie the very best as they start a new and exciting period of their already rich lives – a well-deserved time earned through hard work, dedication and professionalism of the highest order.

Everyone who has met Paul would agree his contribution to our College and his professionalism is notable in the way he has treated everyone, not simply whether he was producing exceedingly detailed financial papers and intricate financial

God bless and best wishes from the Scotch community.

Dr Alec O’Connell Headmaster

Revd Gary van Heerden

Chaplain

Growth Resides in Trying “Success is not final; failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.”

– Winston Churchill

of spectacular failures, whom Jesus chose as the “rock on which to build the church” (Matthew 16:18).

“The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing.”

– Henry Ford

Dr Rachael Sharman, psychologist and lecturer at the University of the Sunshine Coast, has studied failure extensively. Her team has noticed that students are showing greater anxiety, more perfectionism, less resilience and a more pervasive fear of failure. Many parents, on the other hand, are going to extreme lengths to shield their children from disappointments and failures, thereby depriving them of valuable learning opportunities.

“I do not think that there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature.”

– John D. Rockefeller In preparing boys for life, we want to help them understand that mistakes are normal and are often our most helpful learning tools. Being human is to experience failure of some kind along the way. Many success stories have only occurred through great persistence, after setbacks and failures.

Albert Einstein was told that he would never amount to anything. Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team.

We do just about anything to avoid dealing with failure, yet it serves such an important function. Failure gives us the opportunity to assess what went wrong and figure out what to do differently next time. It always fills me with hope that it was Peter, despite his string

Faced with failure, there are 3 common ways of reacting: 1. Problem-focused coping – rather than personalise it, we focus on the problem.

We attempt to work out what went wrong and then resolve to do things differently.

2. Cognitive-focused coping – we change our mind about the failure in an attempt to minimise it. We think “it was not that important to me anyway”. While this may make one feel a bit better, it does not actually solve the problem. We may not actually have learnt anything.

3. Emotion-focused coping – people try to get rid of the emotion associated with the failure, for example by drinking alcohol or eating a tub of ice cream; and there is no reflection on the failure itself. This is the worst of the three reactions.

Our discomfort with the ‘f-word’ (failure) was evident in our struggle to find a name for our first ‘Failure Week’ in the Senior School. In the end we decided on GRIT Week, standing for Growth Resides In Trying, which will run from 23–27 November 2020.

Developing grit takes effort. Failure can seem crushing; losing a game or failing a test can feel like the end of the world. The pressure and stakes are high, having to balance the demands of study, extra-curricular activities, family and social obligations. As if these pressures are not enough, there is so much to distract and discourage students, from social media to peer pressure. Without grit, it is very difficult to manage these stressors and to achieve one’s goals.

GRIT Week will encourage students to embrace failure and to develop a more constructive mindset, thereby increasing resilience. During GRIT Week, Wellbeing, Enrichment and Mentor classes will focus on grit and student leaders will run lunchtime activities. Live Music Monday will feature songs focusing on growing strong through disappointments and persistence. A podcast on grit will be released and there will be a virtual tour of the Museum of Failure in Sweden.

Here’s hoping that the fun activities and conversations during GRIT Week will remind us that failure is an important part of learning; and thus decrease our anxiety, liberate us from striving to be perfect and build resilience in us as we learn from our mistakes.

Participants in the Year 12s’ FightMND fundraiser for motor neurone disease

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Mr Mark Paganin

Council

I trust that at the time of reading this report you and your families remain safe during these extraordinary times.

Late last year, the Council undertook a strategy session in consultation with the Executive, Foundation and Old Scotch Collegians (OSC). We identified areas such as our values and traditions, which will continue to guide us into the future, whilst focusing on where we can strive to deliver the best educational offerings to students, including through our relationships with global educational institutions that ensure we remain in touch with best-practice developments.

Whilst we had commenced implementing the priority outcomes from the strategy session we suddenly had to pivot and focus on managing the challenges that evolved from the pandemic. Despite the difficulty of the challenges presented to the College and the Scotch community, there are learnings that can be incorporated into our strategy.

If there is a silver lining from the crisis, it is the manner in which the College, students and families have adapted. To that end, on behalf of the Council, I would like to thank the teachers, staff, families and especially the boys for the manner in which they have responded since returning to campus after the April school holidays.

We, of course, remain vigilant and prepared in the event that there is a spike in the virus as the health of all involved at Scotch is our paramount concern.

Following the emergence of the virus, one of the Council’s first decisions was to halt the proposed capital expenditure programme, as part of managing the operational and co-curricular expenses. However, the new Mathematics and Commerce Building had been completed which was recognised at an official opening of the building in early September. From all reports, the boys and staff have absolutely taken to this state-ofthe-art facility, which has provided them with another space of belonging and a common room for the Year 12s. It is this cohort that I would like to acknowledge for the way they have handled the significant disruption to their last year at Scotch and responded so enthusiastically and constructively on their return to campus. We wish the Year 12s the very best in contributing to the communities in which they choose to live after their time at Scotch, which will be celebrated at the traditional Valedictory Dinner at the end of the year.

Students working in our new Mathematics and Commerce Building, photograph: Andrew Pritchard

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The financial challenges that continue to be presented to Scotch families during this period have been recognised by the Council with the establishment of a Financial Hardship register, where families who are in need of assistance have been able to contact our Director of Finance and Corporate Services, Paul Davidson, in confidence. It is opportune to thank the Foundation for the continuing support to allow the College to manage our affairs in a financially responsible and sound manner. Also, to the equally strong support provided by the OSC in everything they do for the College and the boys. However, it has been the teaching staff who have had to perform their roles over and above the call of duty and have been a significant factor in providing the environment for students to return to campus and continue to thrive in all their activities.

Thank you to all the staff.

Our Headmaster Dr Alec O’Connell and his Executive have shown true leadership through this period of adversity and their efforts are also acknowledged as well as those of my fellow Council members.

On behalf of the Council, I wish all Scotch families the very best for a restful and a welldeserved break at the end of the academic year and thank you for your support, without which the College could not deliver the educational experiences to your boys.

Mr John Flecker

Foundation As always, and particularly in these unusual times, the Foundation stands ready to assess any requests to support the College in accordance with our Charter.

The Office of Advancement and Philanthropy oversaw the raising of over $700,000 from very generous donors for the Boat Shed works. This is a fantastic outcome and is a testament to the connections to the College that the Scotch community hold dear. The Foundation has capital set aside to assist the school in funding the Gooch Pavilion works and the balance of Boat Shed costs.

Whilst now is not the time for major capital works programmes, the College still has to keep its facilities safe and fit for purpose.

Following the wonderful refurbishments of the historically and culturally significant Memorial Hall and Chapel, there is important work still to be done to carry out repairs and improve the functionality of both the Gooch Pavilion and the Scotch Boat Shed to round out this heritage programme.

It is because of the stewardship and acumen of the Foundation Investment Committee that the Foundation remains in a strong position, notwithstanding global market volatility, and is able to provide such support.

Ongoing assistance also continues with the Foundation scholarships, maintaining existing loans to the College, and support for the Office of Advancement and Philanthropy.

Rather than waiting until after the fact, I will take this early opportunity to give a heartfelt thank you on behalf of the Foundation to Paul Davidson, Director of Finance and Corporate Services, who is retiring from Scotch at the end of the year. Paul has been invaluable for his knowledge and wise counsel within the Foundation over many years. Whilst we will sorely miss Paul, we will also warmly welcome Dr Ian Anthony as the College’s new Chief Financial Officer to pick up the baton when the Foundation heads into the new year.

A lasting legacy for future generations Make a real difference to the future of your school and the wellbeing of its students.

If you have already included the College as a beneficiary in your Will, you immediately qualify as a member of the Alexander Society.

Please contact us so we can acknowledge your generosity.

Alternatively, to confidentially discuss a bequest, contact Kate Quinn, Director of Advancement and Philanthropy, on +61 8 9383 6832 or kate.quinn@scotch.wa.edu.au.

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Charlie Bevan

School Captain Although this year did not go as expected and we missed out on events like the Inter House Cross Country and Athletics, it made us a lot more grateful for everything that we could do.

We were very fortunate to be able to play out almost an entire Public Schools Association (PSA) Winter Sport season, especially since the chances of having one game were initially looking slim. The success of Scotch this year was undeniable, winning the Alcock Cup and Brother Redmond Cup, the Football and Rugby cups respectively, outright.

Rugby made it through the season undefeated, while Football only lost one game. The Cross Country team also had a very successful season, placing second.

It is a testament to the hard work that boys across all levels put in, and I am very proud of the way we all represented our school.

None of this would have been possible without the organisation and planning of Mr Foster and Headmaster Dr O’Connell, and on behalf of all the boys I would like to express my appreciation. Additionally, I would like to thank all the coaches for their commitment to the school.

Scotch’s investment in the Indigenous community was once again demonstrated during our NAIDOC Week. With the Indigenous flag proudly painted on the top oval and the traditional smoking ceremony, Friday Marching was a special event that combined our school’s heritage with Australia’s extensive Indigenous culture.

At Assembly, we were fortunate enough to have Neville Collard give a Welcome to

Senior students preparing for Marching during Scotch’s NAIDOC Week, photograph: Pixel Poetry

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Country, and guest speaker Alicia Janz talk about her journey as an Indigenous woman playing sport at the top level.

This year saw the production We Will Rock You, a Queen-inspired musical that showcased the enormous talent in the Scotch and PLC community. Everyone rose to the challenge to pull off some of Freddie Mercury’s songs, which is certainly not easy to do. Innumerable hours were put into planning and rehearsing for the performance, and I commend all the staff and students involved.

Since the beginning of Autumn Term, we have been able to enjoy the new Mathematics and Commerce Building. It has quickly become one of the most popular areas of the school, housing the new lecture theatre, Year 12 common room and of course the best quality table tennis station. For reasons beyond explanation, table tennis has taken over the school, with boys spending every spare second to get in a rally. Just in Winter Term, we have already had two table tennis tournaments, and I am quite certain that they will not be the last. The new building has become the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) of table tennis venues at Scotch, so you can always expect there to be a crowd of people at any given moment.

One of the hardest things to do as a teenage boy is to talk about your mental

health. During Chapel in Men’s Health Week, myself and three Year 11 students, Brenton Macauley, Josh Ledger and Terry Zhou, talked about our experiences with COVID-19 and the effect it had on us and our family. All three boys had to deal with adversity very differently, and the courage they had to open up to the school was fantastic, and demonstrated to everyone that there does not need to be stigma around these conversations. This term we also had R U OK? Week, which once again focused on encouraging discussions with your mates and checking in on them if you notice that they are acting differently. No one is ever going to be feeling one hundred per cent all the time, but if you know that your mates are there to support you it makes the world of difference.

All in all, the past semester has been a very busy one, having to cram in events that we could not do in Autumn Term due to restrictions. There was never a dull moment, and personally, it has been one of the most enjoyable semesters thus far. As the schooling journey draws to a close for the Year 12s, I would like to thank everyone for their involvement in the school and their contribution in making this year one to remember.

Max Jones

Student Council

Ferguson House marching during Scotch’s NAIDOC Week, photograph: Pixel Poetry

Embrace the Tradition, Forge a Legacy The theme chosen by the Year 12 2020 cohort, ‘forging a legacy’, stood out strongly for me.

You may have asked, how am I supposed to forge a legacy? You may not be in a 1st team, be a straight A student, play an instrument or be in the Pipe Band.

When wondering how they can forge their own legacy at Scotch, boys constantly overlook the impact of their own behaviour on others. It is the intangible effect you cannot see or record, but you can feel, and it can make a massive difference to others.

At Scotch, there is an array of different interests, hobbies and backgrounds amongst the students and staff. You will not get along with or share the same interests as everyone you come across, but you can never underestimate how a small act can leave a legacy in someone else’s mind.

I have learnt that a legacy can start as something small. Stopping to have a chat with someone you know is struggling, making time for someone younger than you, always following up on your word with actions or sharing your lunch box with the boarders who are always eager for a home-cooked meal.

These are all examples of small actions that can make people feel good and make the Scotch environment even more friendly.

My personal example happened in Year 9.

I was considering the Round Square exchange programme – a daunting thought.

Andrew Burvill, the then School Captain, made time for me, in between his leadership and Year 12 commitments, to sit down and chat about his own exchange experience.

This small gesture for a frightened Year 9 boy made all the difference and gave me the confidence to apply for an exchange. To me, Andrew left a legacy about the kind of young man he was and the importance of making others feel valued.

It may just be the legacy of being a good bloke that you leave behind. Take it from me, I do not always get this right, however over my years at this school I have watched people do small things that are great. Playing a shepherd for someone else, asking a mate how he is going on a busy day, showing genuine interest in others’ passions that are not your own, or standing up for someone who is not there to stand up for themselves.

These small but significant actions leave a legacy for all those involved and show how kind, meaningful behaviour towards others is sometimes worth more than you think.

So, when deciding how you can make your legacy on this College, you do not always need to look for the limelight. Think simply – check up on your mates, take pride in your own and others’ passions and look for opportunities to support and guide others regardless of their year group, interests or backgrounds.

By just being a good bloke during your time at Scotch, you may leave a much bigger legacy than you ever intended.

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Ronnie Fellows-Smith

Service Council

The Service Council has been very busy in the last term of the year, which for the Year 12s is our last term ever.

For our final big event we organised the Big Freeze – a fundraiser run by FightMND to try and defeat motor neurone disease.

To play our part in this great cause, we sold Big Freeze beanies alongside running a lunchtime ice-filled dunk tank for the teachers.

Our goal was to organise a multi-level service event that incorporated elements of direct service, fundraising, awareness raising and also a bit of frivolous fun. Everyone in the Service Council was proactive in taking on a specific role during the planning phase.

The Big Freeze was a logistically complex event to organise and it would not have been possible without the amazing organisation and commitment of all the boys in the Service Council.

Jamayden Chong, Year 11 (centre), participating in the FightMND fundraiser

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On top of the demanding pressures that Year 12 brings, the Service boys still attend regular meetings and uphold their House-based Service commitments. I believe that it is this dedication that has allowed the Council to function as a cohesive unit and accomplish everything that we have applied ourselves to.

The Service meetings are integral to everything the Council does, as they allow the boys to raise questions and voice their opinions. The Service meetings have also facilitated the expansion of House-based Service events into events which the whole school has embraced, such as Anderson House’s red-nose marching becoming a whole school activity.

It has been great to see everyone’s ideas develop and succeed, and while there have been setbacks, I cannot think of a time where the Council was not able to overcome a problem. I would argue that the last term for the Service Council has been our best.

Admittedly, it took a while for everyone to find their footing and grasp what was required in

their role. Since then, however, we all have matured into our positions and that has culminated in a very efficient team.

With mock exams looming dangerously close on the horizon, the Service Council is slowly winding down operations for the year in order to focus on our final weeks of high school.

It is humbling to be slowly moving away from the amazing support structure and community of Scotch College, however, I can confidently say that every boy that held a service leadership position has made the most of their opportunity, sticking to the 2020 school motto of honouring the tradition and forging a legacy.

I also feel that it is important to recognise our Chaplain, Reverend Gary van Heerden, who has recently moved into the position of Head of Service. It was really great to work with someone who not only supported the Service Council but also pushed us to pursue our ideas, something for which I am very grateful.

A Year in Pictures As the year draws to a close we reflect on the challenges, the highlights and what makes us a community.

Clockwise: Eden Scott, Year 2, with Hayden Browne, Year 12; Football 1st XVIII player Raquell Bin Rashid, Year 11, photograph: Derren Hall; Rugby 1st XV celebrating winning the Brother Redmond Cup, photograph: Derren Hall; Jack Dodds, Year 2, at yoga; Ben Elderfield climbing a tree at the Year 2 and 12 Get Together; Live Music Monday performance; Year 7s Dallmyn Kelly and Oscar Ho from James House competing in tug-of-war at the Highland Games; Shearer House performing at House Singing

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Mrs Cara Fugill

Teaching and Learning An Education that Speaks Volumes Having spent much of Summer Term planning for online delivery, it was refreshing to have our boys return to a near normal programme in Week 2 of Autumn Term.

Having experienced teaching online, I can confidently say face-to-face teaching is unsurpassed. The art of teaching is not about guaranteeing children learn the teacher’s knowledge, it is about helping students to broaden their repertoire of skills so they can process and use the complex information that teachers are presenting.

A good teacher will be gathering relevant information about each student to better understand which learning environment will promote engagement and provide sufficient challenge. By assessing the way children respond to the delivery of new concepts, tasks, questions, problem solving, collaboration and assessment, a teacher learns the ability of each child in relation to the multitude of skills that need to be developed in childhood to become capable teenagers and independent adults.

Online delivery, whilst satisfactory for sharing our understanding of content, misses such a critical part of our job. If, as teachers, we need to be able to determine information about our students, then the way we deliver our lessons needs to have a great deal of variation.

To observe social capabilities, students have to collaborate in complex social settings. To observe research, they need to investigate a topic independently over a long period of time and engage meaningfully with the content.

To observe communication, we need to offer them the opportunities to share their ideas to a variety of audiences through different mediums using subject-specific language. To observe thinking, we have to provoke the learner not to adopt their first idea and to seek truth through challenging their beliefs; understanding how knowledge is derived and testing their arguments through a variety of thinking strategies.

In 2016, Scotch College set about designing a building that captured the complexities of modern education and on Thursday 3 September 2020 the College officially opened the Mathematics and Commerce Building, forming a link between the School of Music and our Middle School. A stunning multi-level building designed to teach as well as deliver an inspiring place to learn.

Around the building you will see geometric shapes on walls, circle theorems in carpets, music chiselled into stone, wood panelling representing notes to the school song, braille, binary code, history of famous entrepreneurs, cartesian planes, trigonometric angles in degrees and radian… the list goes on.

Although capable of teaching, the building is also the centre of learning and has been designed to offer a wide range of flexibility, so teacher delivery is not confined to the four walls of the classroom. With moveable furniture, endless writing spaces across walls and

Multi-use spaces in the Mathematics and Commerce Building, photograph: Andrew Pritchard

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cupboards to encourage student expression, break out spaces for group work in expansive corridors, exam centres and lecture theatres for heavier content delivery, bookable quiet rooms for students to work independently, and recording studios for teachers to prerecord lessons, the opportunity for variation of learning is abundant.

This space was designed with a senior secondary student–centred focus and aims to promote student agency whilst fostering a sense of calm through bright lighting, stylish furnishing and sophisticated architecture. This is complemented by the state-of-the-art technology embedded throughout and allows teachers to seamlessly move between various modes of delivery.

The push for teaching general capabilities was the first indication that the Australian education system was about to be transformed in order to make sure this generation of learners are prepared for the impact of technology on their working life.

The International Baccalaureate has been committed to enhancing student agency for many years. It has devised a way of planning units of work that integrate meaningful central ideas in order to bring multiple disciplines together.

There is no doubt this method of education is more challenging for teachers when it comes to planning and delivery, even with outstanding facilities at their fingertips.

The challenge of learning is also felt by the students as they grapple with understanding complex ideas rather than being handed the knowledge.

However, challenge is such a critical aspect of neurological development, which includes essential neurological processes, that establishes patterns of behavioural and emotional functioning. When a teacher can provide such a challenge in a supportive and safe environment, whilst observing and responding appropriately to behavioural and emotional cues, then the magic of learning can occur, and we see the benefits of young minds being stretched so they too can go on to achieve extraordinary things.

Mr James Hindle

Wellbeing

As life in WA has returned almost to what it was before COVID-19 hit, I have been reminded of one of the key stoic beliefs, about the importance of being prepared for things to change.

Stoic philosophy focuses on living in the moment and being aware of – and appreciating – what is around us, whilst acknowledging the transitory nature of life.

It requires us to pause and consider how fortunate we are to have what we have, whilst understanding that life can quickly change.

Viktor Frankl was a Jewish psychiatrist who spent time in several concentration camps during World War II, including AuschwitzBirkenau. He survived but came to realise that those who had a reason to live were more likely to survive. He also observed that those who sacrificed some of their food to share with others – who cared about something other than themselves – were also, on balance, more likely to survive. He came to understand that, even in the worst imaginable conditions, human beings still have a choice about how they respond to the circumstances in which they find themselves.

This is a key lesson for our students to come to understand.

Time for Stillness and Quiet Our programme built around mindfulness continues to grow. In the past few terms, all students in Junior School have experienced the benefits of weekly yoga sessions. These, combined with the Pastoral Care timeslots which are built into the timetable, provide numerous opportunities for students to pause and to discuss wellbeing issues. In Middle School, we ran a weeklong yogi-in-residence programme during Winter Term, with all boys taking part in meditation sessions run by Helen Heppingstone. In the Senior School, we have continued to offer our Brain Reset sessions for Year 11s and 12s each Wednesday and, last term (for the first time)

in the lead-up to the examinations, we offered Bite-Size Brain Reset – short, before-school sessions where Years 10–12 could learn and practice simple relaxation skills which they can utilise wherever they are and whenever they feel the need.

Time for Connection When the College went to learning from home at the end of Summer Term and the start of Autumn Term, it was obvious that the thing which people missed most was the human interaction and the relationships which exist between students, and between staff and students. We continued to search for ways to recreate this connection online; this time has made us value what Scotch is even more.

We must guard against rushing back into old ways of doing too much and not giving enough time to simply being.

Over the past term, I have thoroughly enjoyed spending time in the Boarding Houses on Wednesday evenings, working primarily with the Middle School boarders. We have spoken about the importance of boarding to our community and about boarders making good choices, particularly when living in a community.

In a similar light, our R U OK? Weeks in both Senior and Middle School continue to grow.

This year, the theme was ‘There’s more to say after R U OK?’. I spoke of the challenges we face in seeking positive mental health outcomes, including: • Noticing when things are not right with someone and being brave enough to ask them if they are okay • Having the courage to listen when what the other person has to say may be difficult to hear, and the courage to offer support and follow up if they are not ready to talk or they say they are fine • Being brave enough to ask for help when we are not okay

Like NAIDOC Week, which reminds us about the ongoing need for reconciliation and healing in our country, R U OK? Week is a reminder that there are attitudes and behaviours we need to practise over and over again so that they become habits. Every day should be R U OK? Day. At the heart of it, good mental health is about being kind; showing kindness to others and ourselves, and taking time out of our lives to show someone we care enough to notice and to ask them how they are doing and what we can do to help.

Child Protection Over the past few months, we have been working to update our complaints procedure.

Whilst we hope that our students will know an adult within the school they trust enough to speak to if they are experiencing difficulty, we understand that they may also prefer to use an online service.

There is now a ‘Tell Us’ tile on the home. scotch website and our public website, which enables people to contact us with their concerns and suggestions. There is also an email address which students can use.

We have ensured all students are aware of these options and how to access them. We have also produced a revised Student Code of Conduct, which commits the College to ensure that all students feel safe and valued so that each child gets the most out of their time at Scotch.

We consulted Senior School students whilst formulating this complaints procedure and the Student Code of Conduct. We believe that these documents are important statements of principle that make clear the behavioural expectations which we hold for all members of our community, and the process to be followed when people do not meet these expectations.

There is nothing more important than ensuring students feel safe and valued at their school.

• Remembering that this is not just something we should talk about one week a year reports | 13

Vice-Captain of School (Operations) Jarvis Banfield, Boarding Captain Brenton Macauley, School Captain Josh Ledger, Head of Student Council Jim Allan and Vice-Captain of School (Service) Simon Arnott

14 | whole school

Meet Your Leaders Hear from our 2021 student leaders as they speak to their Scotch College experience and what makes a leader.

Jim Allan Head of Student Council I started at Scotch in Year 7 in Middle School.

You can change one thing about Scotch.

What would it be?

Josh Ledger School Captain

Jarvis Banfield Vice-Captain of School (Operations)

I came to Scotch in 2015 as a Year 6 student from Freshwater Bay Primary School, along with incoming Vice-Captain of School (Operations) Jarvis Banfield.

I came to Scotch in Year 6 in 2015 after finishing my primary schooling at Freshwater Bay. I was lucky enough to already have some friends at Scotch, so this made for a very supportive and comfortable transition into the College.

What does it mean to be a leader at Scotch?

What I have learnt most about leadership at Scotch is the importance of leading by example. It doesn’t take one person to lead the school, it is a team effort and requires a lot of involvement from everyone within the cohort. It is a privilege to be a part of that team. It is important to understand this, and lead amongst, not from above. I am incredibly honoured to be in a leadership position and I am excited to get into next year. I have big shoes to fill following in the footsteps of our current School Captain Charlie Bevan. I hope to carry on the high standards he has set and bring something of my own to the role.

What is your most classic ‘Scotch’ moment?

Since Year 6 I have been a part of the Scotch Swim Team. During this time Scotch has usually placed towards the bottom end of the Public Schools Association (PSA) Inter School Swimming Competition. But this year with new coach, Head of Swimming Ryan Steenkamp, everyone in the team stepped up their training, continuously strived to better their times, and a strong team spirit evolved. One of my most classic Scotch moments was when the Swim Team jumped from seventh to third place in one year on the Inter School swimming night. This result was such a reward for the team’s effort and highlights what Scotch boys are capable of when they put their minds to something.

Simon Arnott Vice-Captain of School (Service) I came to Scotch from South Africa in Year 3 before leaving the following year, only to return as a Year 8.

How does service inform who we are as a community?

Service comes in a variety of forms – direct, indirect and advocacy. Service provides us, the community, with the opportunity to be involved. Whether it be directly through our actions and being physically present or through giving money, time and resources that will allow others to continue their work.

Through the avenue of service, we look to grow ourselves as a community, making those around us stronger or providing aide and assistance to others in our community when they need it. As through our actions, this is how we are depicted; our identity is shaped by who we are within our community and our outlook toward the wider school, state and national communities.

As a member of both the Middle and Senior sub-schools, I’ve come to realise that Scotch College is more than just the students and staff involved in their respective sub-schools. Something I feel can be improved upon in the College would be the cohesion and interaction between the Junior, Middle and Senior sub-schools.

I believe boys from each should take time to share experiences with students from other parts of the school, such as being involved with fundraisers from different sub-schools or just playing sport with other boys. This will lead to stronger relationships between boys that would not have previously interacted, which I believe is a must for a positive and cohesive student body and will strengthen the school’s wellbeing and culture.

Brenton Macauley Boarding Captain I began at Scotch in 2017 when I was in Year 8.

What is one thing about Boarding that would surprise people?

Boarding can be a daunting experience for kids coming in, however I believe you would find the connection we have throughout the year groups, and especially Years 7 and 12, very surprising. Over the past five to ten years you wouldn’t really see a Year 7 having a laugh with a Year 12 because that’s just how it was. Most boys now are very easy and outgoing people who are approachable and would love to have a chat with younger years.

We also have diverse cultures at Scotch with boys coming from all over the world, including places such as China, Singapore, Katanning, Northam, Broome, the Wheatbelt and more. You would find that we have a lot of respect for different cultures because that is something we pride ourself on and enjoy about living in a diverse Boarding House with people we are making friends with for the rest of our lives.

whole school | 15

Teacher Feature

Junior School | Olivia Creagh

Middle School | Gill Youngleson

Senior School | Jacob Miolin

Began in 2012

Began in 2009

Began in 2019

Year 4 Teacher

Head of Academic Support Middle School

Outdoor Education Teacher

How did you end up at Scotch and what do you do here?

How did you end up at Scotch and what do you do here?

How did you end up at Scotch and what do you do here?

I am a Year 4 teacher in the Junior School, and this is my 14th year of teaching. Before working at Scotch, I taught various year levels in Kalgoorlie and Merredin.

Prior to teaching at Scotch, I taught at Hale School and Christ Church Grammar School, teaching senior school English. I was given a Year 9 literacy support class at Christ Church, and found that I loved teaching and developing a rapport with these boys. It required a different skillset and I felt confident in the role. When a job for a support teacher was advertised at Scotch, I applied.

After graduating from the University of Notre Dame in 2011, I worked at Scotch in a casual capacity as an Outdoor Education instructor in 2012.

If you were not a teacher, what would you be?

I love to travel so I would probably like to be a travel agent or travel writer.

What is the funniest thing that has ever happened in your classroom?

There are so many funny things that happen in the classroom; it is hard to pick one! The boys make me laugh often and brighten my day.

How does Scotch stand out compared to your previous workplaces?

Scotch has a lovely community and wonderful traditions. The staff are very supportive and there are many excellent professional development opportunities. I enjoy working within the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme as it encourages students to be independent thinkers and make a positive difference in our world. The boys are fantastic, and they make each day fun and exciting!

School can be stressful. How do you keep calm?

I love yoga and practice several times a week. Yoga helps me relax after a busy day at work and I have enjoyed so many benefits as a result of a regular practice.

I also enjoy going for walks along the river and catching up with friends for a coffee.

What do you get up to outside of Scotch?

I am an avid moviegoer and enjoy seeing musicals and concerts. I love reading and relish the opportunity to relax with a good book. I look forward to visiting our family farm during the holidays and spending time with my nieces and nephews. I usually travel overseas a couple of times a year and love spending time planning my next adventure!

16 | whole school

If you were not a teacher, what would you be?

I would have liked to be a clinical psychologist or a GP in another life.

What is the funniest thing that has ever happened in your classroom?

Teaching boys requires a sense of humour.

One of the moments I remember, which made me vaguely hysterical, was when wobbly stools were introduced to our classrooms in Middle School. It took one go for both myself and the education assistant to fall off the stools which filled the boys with mirth.

In 2013 I started at Lake Joondalup Baptist College (LJBC) teaching Health, Physical Education and Outdoor Education. I worked at LJBC for six years and during my time there my passion for and teaching load of Outdoor Education continued to grow.

In 2019 I was fortunate enough to secure a full-time Outdoor Education position at Scotch College.

If you were not a teacher, what would you be?

Something that keeps me physically and mentally active. I have a number of friends who are firefighters; that would be something that would interest me.

What is the funniest thing that has ever happened in your classroom?

I have routines which I keep, including a strong coffee every morning and a long dog walk every afternoon with a good group of friends. I also try to find humour in everyday stresses. I was brought up with the mantra “laugh and the world laughs with you, cry and you cry alone”.

In 2012 I was camping out at Moray on a very wet night. A colleague and I set our swags up under a semi-permanent canvas tarpaulin.

By 3am a large amount of water had pooled in the tarpaulin and then drained off all at once. The noise woke us up; however, we weren’t nimble enough to get out of the way of the cascading water that ran through both our swags. We couldn’t help but laugh until the sun came up.

What do you get up to outside of Scotch?

School can be stressful. How do you keep calm?

My husband is an architect and sculptor so we always have home projects and are slowly renovating our sixth home. We like cooking and having friends over and watching films too. We have recently become empty nesters and I am getting used to that, which has been more challenging than I anticipated!

I think when things get stressful it’s important to step back and find a systematic solution.

I also believe it’s important to laugh every day, even if it’s at yourself!

School can be stressful. How do you keep calm?

What do you get up to outside of Scotch?

I like surfing and spending time outside.

I also enjoy travelling and exploring new places, especially if they are near the beach!

Mr Scott Loveday

Performing Arts

After wrapping up an enormously successful winter season for Scotch Performing Arts, our attention now turns to the immediate future for our Year 12 students, many of whom have fully immersed themselves in Drama, Music or Pipe Band for years.

For some, the passion has only come in the last few years; others have taken their study in these areas seriously for some time. But what happens at the end of compulsory schooling? What happens when students return their hired musical instrument, or hang up their theatre blacks and return their borrowed props?

With the COVID-19 pandemic limiting the normal momentum of the international community, the importance of the performing arts industry to maintaining a healthy society has never been more evident.

I recently caught up with some Old Scotch Collegians (OSC) who have continued their engagement with the performing arts as they embarked upon the next phase of their lives.

“Growing up through Middle School, I always had so much fun in Drama. I loved telling stories and playing around with friends,” says Harry Gilchrist (OSC 2019).

“In Year 10, I chose to study ATAR Drama and this was a major step [toward postcompulsory involvement]. Creating a character was so inspiring.

“A very late decision in Year 12 led to a Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) audition.”

Now studying a Diploma of Acting at the prestigious institution, Gilchrist says there were no alternatives. “I thought I’d give it a crack and go wholeheartedly toward studying theatre. Although I had plenty of other study options, I didn’t consider a Plan B.”

Callum Griffiths (OSC 2019) is in the first year of his degree at the University of Western Australia, with a double major in Music and Engineering.

“Several aspects inspired my choice of direction,” says Griffiths when asked what the catalyst was for his current pathway.

“Music in a huge orchestral context – pieces like Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana that make you want to stand up and shout ‘yes’ or even invade a country! It’s inspiring.”

“Playing with other musicians in a formal context means you get to meet new friends,” he says.

There are also opportunities to link in with existing friends who were part of the journey during school days. Griffiths still catches up with former Scotch students who are now part of other musical entities, such as the WA Medical Students’ Orchestra (WAMSO) and the Perth Highland Pipe Band.

It is through entities like these that many past students continue to be involved. Although they have not necessarily embarked upon formal study or careers within the performing arts, there is a deep connection that many have through their local community initiatives.

It is something that is not only beneficial for the individual, it is of immense importance to the wider community and to the social fabric of a well-functioning society.

Griffiths’ comments highlight something that is incredibly important: connection with the performing arts can be a lifelong pursuit. It may have begun in school but does not end at March Out. “Ask yourself what you want out of music.

This will, to some degree, inform your pathway forward. There’s WAMSO and the Australian Doctors’ Orchestra. It doesn’t have to be a traditional study pathway. There are so many other ways to stay involved and keep playing,” Griffiths says.

Our teachers, families and OSC community have a role to play in encouraging graduating students to continue the pursuit of their craft. Whether it be as a lighting or sound

technician, stage manager, acting in an amateur theatre show, playing with a community pipe band or concert band, or even by joining an armed forces band as a reservist, there are plenty of places to continue to share the joy.

So, are these OSCs happy with their choices to formally study in these areas?

“It’s different to what I was expecting but that’s not a bad thing. The foundation that the International Baccalaureate Diploma Music course provided gave a great background for studying music composition, particularly in the Baroque, Classical and Romantic eras.

But the course at Scotch gave a really broad perspective of music that wasn’t just from a Western Classical ‘bubble’,” Griffiths says.

Asked whether he had made the right choice, Gilchrist says: “I look forward to every single class; it doesn’t seem like work. I’m spending six to eight hours per day with people who’ve become great mates, it’s just awesome.”

Was it everything he had hoped it would be?

“It’s more than this. In classes we’re always talking about channelling our inner child and finding that childlike curiosity, and then seeing where that will take us [as we create or develop a character]. Then we get to put that on show on the stage, and hopefully the audience gets to take that away with them.

Maybe we’ll even have an impact for change [in their lives].”

One thing that both cite as critical influences was the encouragement and mentoring of the Scotch Performing Arts staff during their senior years. They recognised that many go above and beyond the call of duty in a bid to inspire, impart knowledge and build character.

As the chapter for our 2020 leavers comes to a close, it is our hope that they have become men of empathy, embodying human kindness and have indeed been inspired to continue some aspect of their performing arts involvement into the future.

whole school | 17

We Will Rock You

In 2020, the school production of We Will Rock You unexpectedly became the only iteration playing across the globe. The story of bohemians who struggle to break from a world where life is lived online was both powerful and prescient.

Clockwise: Will Oxlade, Year 11, as Britney Spears; Arad Rad as Galileo on the shoulders of fellow Year 12s Jasper Japp (left) and Patrick Eastough (right); Sophie Day, Year 11 (PLC), and Arad Rad, Year 12; Year 12s Gianni Kain and Stephanie Hair (PLC); photographs: Kelly Bucksey

18 | whole school

Clockwise: Full cast performing Bohemian Rhapsody; Will Oxlade, Year 11, and Tahlia Hanikeri, Year 12 (PLC); the Bohemians performing Crazy Little Thing Called Love; Josh Keatch, Year 12 (left), Patrick Eastough, Year 12 (centre), Sam Bennett, Year 11 (right); PLC Year 11s Imogen Shillington (left), Beth Playford (back), Celeste Dunn (right) and Khansa Naura (front); Stephanie Hair, Year 12 (PLC), as Killer Queen with chorus; photographs: Kelly Bucksey

whole school | 19

NAIDOC Week Food, basketball, dancing, art, a smoking ceremony and a moving guest speaker filled the College during NAIDOC Week this year.

Sean Bonney, Year 10, raising the Aboriginal Flag for the NAIDOC Week Marching and Assembly, photograph: Pixel Poetry

In MacKellar Hall Junior School boys danced to the didgeridoo and outside on the grass Early Learning students helped produce a sand mandala. Middle and Senior School boys ate kangaroo-based dishes whilst our Scotch College Indigenous Network (SCIN) scored two wins in staff versus students basketball games at Scotch and PLC. On the final day, with local Noongar elder Neville Collard standing by, Senior School boys marched through the smoking ceremony and sat spellbound at Assembly as West Coast Eagles Women’s player Alicia Janz told her story as a young talented Indigenous sports woman. As applause filled the Dickinson Centre, we were left with a question: would we, as a group of young men and as a school community, stand with Alicia and recognise and protect Indigenous culture in Australia?

Therein lies our annual challenge following NAIDOC Week: how do we sustain the engagement and deepen the knowledge with regard to Indigenous culture, history and our connection to Indigenous people and not leave this connection to a one week, once a year moment?

Middle School barbeque lunch

Year 12 students (left to right) Kevin Laidlaw, Jonus Williams, Sam Wolf, Daniel O’Meara and Tyrelle Manado with West Coast Eagles’ Alicia Janz and Noongar elder Neville Collard, photograph: Pixel Poetry

The colours, tastes and stories of NAIDOC Week are always fascinating, but they need to be seen as a reminder, as an invitation to explore, understand, support and respect Indigenous culture. As this year’s NAIDOC theme underscored, Australia always was and always will be the home of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people.

Mr Richard Ledger Indigenous Programme Coordinator 20 | whole school

Year 7, Year 8 and Early Learning students with their sand mandala

Mrs Maria Hodges

New Head of Junior School Our junior students welcomed our new Head of Junior School with some very important questions.

What made you choose to come to Scotch?

– Lachy, Pre-Primary It was a tricky choice because I loved my old school and the children there, but I just knew that I was matched to Scotch College and this was where I needed to be. After meeting Headmaster Dr Alec O’Connell and touring the Junior School I had no doubt that my future was with the Scotch community.

Plus, I look better in burgundy!

What will you do with the school?

– James, Year 5 I am planning to work with the other leaders to continue to make Scotch a school that provides you with a world-class education, so you achieve your absolute best, and prepares you for your adult life. All of this while having lots of fun and enjoying learning, as being a kid is a wonderful time.

What have you done recently with your school Wesley College? – Hamish, Year 5 There are so many things but one thing that I am very proud of and I know the children have absolutely loved is the scientist-inresidence programme that was introduced a few years ago. This programme is where real working scientists come in and work with the children over a period of time to teach them about their expert areas of science.

Do you like dogs or cats? – Konrad, Year 5 This is such an easy question as I currently have living with me three dogs (a dalmatian, Maltese poodle and choodle) and five cats.

Yes, eight animals which is crazy! Now five of these belong to my daughters and will be moving into their new homes at the end of the year but I think you can safely say that I like both dogs and cats.

What qualities do you have that you think could benefit Scotch College?

– James A, Year 4 I love to laugh and tell jokes. I’m not going to promise that my jokes are always funny, but I do like making children laugh.

What are your favourite hobbies and what do you like to do in your spare time?

– James B, Year 4 Anything with my family is something I enjoy doing. On the weekends my husband and I like to go for beach walks and find good coffee spots. I love to cook, catch a good movie or find some quiet time to read. You are also likely to bump into me at Claremont Quarter as shopping is my favourite sport!

What was your favourite subject when you were in school? – Sam, Year 4 I really loved Mathematics and Economics.

It really helped to have amazing teachers and I think my favourite subject changed over time depending on the teachers I had and how much fun they made learning.

Can you tell me about where you are from?

– Class 3L Well I was born in Sydney to a fifth-generation Australian father and a Greek-born and raised mother. We moved to Perth when I was very young. I grew up in Perth and although I have done a lot of travelling I would say Perth is the best place in the world to live.

Can you please tell me a bit about why you started teaching? – Class 3L I always thought I wanted to teach but because I loved Economics and Mathematics, I decided to study Business at university. After working in this field for a few years I couldn’t stop thinking about teaching, so I went back to university and the rest, as they say, is history. I absolutely love the energy and excitement of seeing children learn and I don’t believe there is any career more worthwhile than investing in our future generations.

How old are you? – Bryn, Pre-Primary Now, Bryn, I am going to share a very important fact with you… You should never ask a lady her age! I will give you a clue though, I celebrated a big birthday not too long ago and it wasn’t my 21st!

Clockwise from the top: Lachlan Horton, Pre-Primary, Hamish Cooper, Year 5, Bryn Dolan, Pre-Primary, James Ackerman, Year 4, Head of Junior School Maria Hodges and Sam Cimbaro, Year 4

junior school | 21

Ms Penny Hooper

Acting Head of Junior School A great deal is to be gained from healthy interactions with others. Interactions form the basis of connecting, competing, sharing, learning and understanding. Whilst the usual scope of interacting has not always been possible given phase restrictions, the Junior School students have made the most of the opportunities available.

Opportunities for student interaction included competitions such as the Inter House Cross Country and Athletics. The manner in which the students participated and their level of camaraderie was exceptional this year. There was a lovely combination of rivalry and sportsmanship; dealing with both winning and losing are key aspects of healthy interactions.

We heard some wonderful presentations from our Year 5s at our Speakers’ Challenge and we also ran a Spelling Bee competition. The University of New South Wales’ International

Year 2s Lucas Robaina Chacon and Neo Pentony at Beach School; Gordon House winning the Junior School Inter House Athletics

22 | junior school

Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) competitions in Science, Mathematics and English have been open to all boys, especially those in our Extension and Enrichment programmes, and participation levels have been healthy. Additional opportunities came through the Tournament of Minds, Philosothon and Challengeopolis competitions and involved exchanges across sub-schools, sister schools and other Independent Schools.

In the realm of creativity, our positive connection with non-profit arts organisation FORM has enabled the Pre-Kindergarten students (Monday and Tuesday group) and our Year 2s to enjoy artist-in-residence programmes. These saw students expanding their learning at both Bush and Beach School. The interactions and exploration which takes place complements the Primary Years Programme of Inquiry. Similarly, Years 3 and 4 boys have travelled to PLC and enjoyed the chance to interact with the girls as well as undertaking Science, Mathematics and Technology lessons.

Throughout the year, we have continued to build our mindfulness and enhance our appreciation of all students and their contributions to our community.

We acknowledge the students and their commitment to serving their peers as part

of the commissioning ceremonies. Here we paid tribute to the work done by the boys in office during Semester 1 whilst swearing in our new representatives.

Some of the wonderful celebrations and events held throughout the term included World Environment Day and our charity drives to fundraise for those less fortunate than us. Our continued use of pastoral care times, strategically scheduled throughout the day, help students to regulate, reflect and readjust so that they are ready to access the curriculum. This year, we expanded the Yoga programme and had all students from Pre-Primary to Year 5 participate in sessions on a weekly basis for a full term. These skills have been transferred into our daily classroom practice.

Our last and often most cherished interaction is with our older students across the school.

Mentor programmes, buddy groups, Service programmes and the leadership partnerships all encourage healthy interactions within our school. It is always lovely to have the older boys join in and support the Junior School. Each of those older boys should know that our younger students see you as their heroes. Thank you for contributing to our learning.

Service in the Junior School Learning through Service is a key tenet of the International Baccalaureate programme, allowing students to engage with real-world issues firsthand, by immersing themselves in problem solving, innovative thought and giving back to the community.

In the Junior School we believe strongly in the value of encouraging our students to contribute to the greater good through various whole-school Service initiatives. One of our big initiatives launched this year is collecting bottle caps for recycling. Did you know that when putting bottles in your yellow-lidded recycling bin, not only should they be clean and empty, but lid-free too? So, where do the lids go? They are a different type of plastic to the material used to create drink bottles and milk cartons; hence they are preferably kept out of the recycling stream.

In the Junior School, however, we found a new purpose for them: the creation of prosthetic limbs through 3D printing and Envision Hands. Students of all ages have been collecting and bringing in their bottle caps for months now, which are sorted and prepared by Sustainability Captains, Environment Club participants and volunteers for drop off.

Some students have even approached local cafes and asked them to put aside bottle caps to add to our collection, creating a real community approach to the process.

Another area of Service is the Soldier Letter Project (SLP) – a letter writing initiative between Year 5 students at Scotch and French airmen and women involved in airstrikes in Syria, while based in Jordan. In its fourth year, the SLP is a wonderful way for students to create international links purely for the purpose of making someone’s day brighter.

It is community involvement on a global scale!

July saw us receive a box of letters from the French airbase addressed to all the boys who participated last year, now in Year 6. Although delayed by COVID-19, the return parcel from our friends at the BAP H5 airbase was full of pictures, gifts and warm responses of gratitude for the time taken by our boys to write French letters to strangers, in order to let them know we are thinking of them.

Ambassadors to both France and Australia in Jordan were involved in shipping the letters to us through diplomatic channels. It is an initiative that we hope to continue for many years, bringing communities together on both sides of the world.

Ms Carolyn Vinton Modern Languages Teacher

Ryan Hasslacher at Bush School

Little Pipers Little Pipers is a thriving community-based programme run by our Junior School and Junior Middle (JM) Library staff. There are two sessions offered every week during school term.

On Mondays our 45-minute programme Loving Literacy combines Baby Rhyme Time (a set of rhymes that we all singalong and move to) with Toddler Tales (where picture books are read to the children in between rhymes). These are followed by a craft activity that helps develop fine motor skills. The Loving Literacy programme is run by JM Library Technician Lisa Perriam and myself. The aim is to offer early interactions with rhyme, movement, literature and fine motor skill development, all targeted to the ages between birth and four years.

The other session is held on a Thursday morning. In Inquiring Minds all activities are run by our Early Learning teachers who offer the local community an insight into the Teaching and Learning programme delivered at our Early Learning Centre.

These sessions include Art (Sam Lock), Physical Education (Rebecca Vincent), Music (Katrina Pollock), Bush School (Rebecca Sayers and Anna Clancy), French (Simona Carniello), Pre-Kindergarten Inquiry (Tracey O’Shea) and Kindergarten Inquiry Opportunities (Olivia Harnwell).

COVID-19 threw up new challenges to our programme this year, as we had to adapt to an online programme that still offered our loyal Little Pipers community an opportunity to engage with Literacy and Inquiry. A special thanks to all of the teachers who helped make that possible, as well as some of the behind-thescenes staff involved in an online programme, including Dean of Information and Learning Technology Brad Tyrell, Acting Deputy Head of Junior School and ILT Integration Specialist Amanda Ritchie, Alumni and Marketing Officer Cass Macgowan, Information and Learning Technology Office Coordinator Linda Gauld and Junior School Secretary Josephine Fink.

Mr Warwick Norman Junior School Dean of Teaching and Learning

Year 5s Eugene Cha and Berti Koth

junior school | 23

Mr Richard Ledger

Head of Middle School The second half of a year always seems to go faster than the first half. Is it psychological, is it because we try to do more, or is it an approaching end date becoming clearer?

The stop and start nature of our first semester might have had something to do with it this year. The making up for lost time and an appreciation for what we have as a school community has contributed to an actionpacked, seize the moment type of term. There were all the regular highlights, however, the big innovation was the move to an online delivery of our Student Led Conference in Week 3. Your feedback on the success of these indicates that this is likely to be a format we continue to offer in the years to come.

Winter Term was such an impressive schedule of opportunity and engagement.

In quick succession Middle School students celebrated NAIDOC Week, our Year 6s and their teachers delivered yet another amazing Science Fair accompanied by some hairraising activity in Year 7 and 8 during a parallel Science Week. R U OK? Week followed, which was brilliantly set up with several days of an inhouse yogi running meditation and relaxation sessions for classes.

Languages Week slipped in behind R U OK? Week with a workshop by Neil Coyne, a Noongar man from Northam who remarkably balances a guest speaking career on Indigenous culture with a professional wrestling career. His mix of stories was fascinating. Winter Sport was completed, as was our emerging Philosothon event, bigger and more exciting than ever and now a permanent fixture on our calendar.

For the last three years we have finished Winter Term with the Highland Games and they did not disappoint. Bales of hay flying around the track, boys in kilts on the 60-metre dash, tug of war and Mr Wayne Ramsay as our Chieftain for the day. It was a real celebratory atmosphere and a great conclusion to the term One of the key messages that emerged throughout Winter Term was the theme of ‘we are responsible’. Reverend Justine Wall presented a captivating spoken word video in Chapel that really made you think. If the history of the earth was reduced to a 24-hour timespan, then human habitation and all that we have been, all that we have learnt, and importantly all that we have done, using the same time scale, is contained to just three seconds.

This was an incredible realisation of human presence in the timeline of our planet. As we look at the air, the water and the environment we share and our impact in such a short

Year 7s and 8s at Science Fair; Year 6s Ruhaan Satija and Henry Goyder competing in the hay bale race at the Highland Games

24 | middle school

period of time, it draws into sharp focus the message that to make it to a fourth second, as an entire global collective and also as one of the nine billion individuals, we need to be thinking about the planet more so than we are.

As sobering as this message is, there is a steady commitment to sustainability happening as evidenced in Middle School.

The purple recycling bin installed as a part of last year’s Community Project has overflowed this term with boys bringing plastic recyclables in from home whilst the Year 7 students’ Walk for Water raised serious awareness about the impact of climate change on the most basic of human needs.

Most students spend two years in Middle School, some spend three. One of the culminating events of Middle School, and a concluding task of the Middle Years Programme, is the Year 8 Community Project.

In another article you will read more about this year’s Community Project, however, it is pleasing to say that of the 160 individual projects that boys devised and delivered this year, 96 of them focused on the environment.

When we think about the ‘we are responsible’ theme, it is heartening to see our young boys enthusiastically assuming this responsibility.

Year 7

Alex Everett at Science Fair; Ryan Dent with his hypothesis

Year 6 Science Fair is a much-anticipated event on the Year 6 calendar.

It is an interdisciplinary unit that culminates skills from Mathematics and Science where the boys use their data processing skills to formulate tables and graphs of their findings and present their data and research in the iWork app Numbers.

The main aim of Science Fair is to provide students with an opportunity to carry out an investigation and gain firsthand experience of working through the steps of the scientific method.

The experiments can be very simple, as long as there is one independent variable to be changed and one dependent variable that can be measured.

At the end of Autumn Term, the Year 6 boys undertook a number of immersion activities, encouraging them to generate a scientific question to research. Led by Middle School Science Coordinator Toby Robinson, the boys observed the chemical reaction of ‘elephant toothpaste’ being made, calculated the amount of swing time on a pendulum and monitored the way capillaries react to dye in celery. These sessions were engaging, instigating further discussion and leading into potential questions to choose as topics of research for Science Fair 2020.

Parents and our Scotch community were invited to view the Year 6 showcase of final posters, Numbers presentations and written reports on 19 August 2020. An inaugural highlight of Science Fair was the secret ballot of parent votes electing the most informative and interesting experiments. Congratulations to Science Fair winner Jack Ashby; class winners James Stephan (6.1), Zeke Ritchie (6.2), Erik van de Veire (6.3) and Jack Mayo (6.4); and the Toby Robinson Award of Scientific Inquiry winners Luca Niardone and Andrew Katsambanis.

The iLearn theme throughout Winter Term in Year 7 has been water – Earth’s lifeblood. The students were amazed when they learned that approximately one billion people worldwide do not have access to clean water.

We are all so lucky here within the Scotch College community where we simply turn on the tap at home or school and know we will have clean and cheap water.

There were significant lightbulb moments for many of the students when we discussed the secondary and tertiary implications of not having access to clean water. The most significant of these was when students heard the plight of many young girls who spend a significant amount of time everyday walking for water for their families. This was time away from school and therefore an education. This can become cyclical as, when these young girls become mothers, they do not have a formal education they can pass onto their own children.

This has a huge impact on the educational development of their children as the first, and possibly most significant, teachers a person will have in their lives are their own parents. A lot of students realised the importance of their own parents, and especially their mothers, in their development. There were a lot of appreciative nods from the boys when the penny dropped about how important their parents are and how much they actually do for them.

In Mathematics this term, students have been exploring linear functions and they applied this mathematical understanding to their Walk for Water fundraiser for Water Aid Australia, which provides clean water to communities around the world.

Through the boys’ great fundraising initiative and sporting prowess they have raised over $2,000. Walk for Water is another great example of how Scotch College students are caring and principled members of our international community.

Mr Peter Tresise Year 7 Coordinator

Congratulations to all of our budding scientists who researched a number of interesting questions including: • Does the colour of light affect a plant’s growth? – Jack Ashby • What brand of bubble gum produces the biggest bubbles?

– James Stephan • What effect does the weight of a bat have on the distance a cricket ball travels? – Zeke Ritchie • Does the size of a boat affect the weight it can hold?

– Erik van de Veire • An investigation to explore the effects of different drinks and liquids on tooth enamel – Jack Mayo • Do different temperatures of water affect the time a bath bomb takes to dissolve? – Luca Niardone • Geotropism: how does light affect the growth of plants?

– Andrew Katsamabanis Mrs Sarah Sekulov Year 6 Coordinator

Year 7s Walk for Water

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Clockwise: Joshua Swan and Ronan Leishman making cat toys; James Bain and David Walton with their baked goods; Ben Langdon, James Davidson and Benjamin Barnes with their comfort crosses; Tane Croon-Hargrave at the Cat Haven; Max Thorpe with rubbish collected from South Cottesloe Beach

Year 8 This year the Year 8 Community Project took a different turn to what was originally expected. It has been a tough year and the needs of our community have been greater than ever. It was with this in mind that our boys put their thinking caps on and found creative ways to help those in need.

We saw a greater emphasis on service opportunities that adhered to our new social distancing practices. Projects involved letter writing with our isolated elderly population and the provision of care packages including crosswords and homemade conserves; helping the homeless with drives to gather blankets and personal items for those living on the streets; sporting equipment for remote communities; and efforts to rehabilitate and clean up local environments.

At a time when the demand on systems supporting our increasing homeless population was at an all-time high, one of the biggest offerings this year was the provision of meals for the homeless.

As well as literally hundreds of home-cooked nutritious meals distributed to the homeless via the Salvation Army, boys prepared main meals, snacks and handy breakfast packs for Uniting Church WA’s homeless centre, The Tranby Centre.

Other interesting projects included making handmade toys and collecting over 1,000 donated items for the Cat Haven; designing watering stations for koalas impacted by recent bushfires; and making palm-sized wooden comfort crosses to offer solace to victims of bushfires and mental illness.

As an inquiry project, one of the key components of the Community Project is reflection. The boys are asked to reflect on what they learnt about service learning, their recipient and themselves throughout the process. Taking part not only in research and action, the reflection component of

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this project facilitates significant personal growth opportunities for our students as they become positively contributing active citizens.

The Year 8s should be very proud of their efforts and we look forward to seeing their projects showcased.

Mrs Tracey FitzPatrick Year 8 Coordinator

Mr Peter Burt

Head of Senior School We pride ourselves on the leadership shown by our students at Scotch College.

The vertical House system in the Senior School, which has been a feature of our pastoral care programme for decades, allows the senior boys to work with and mentor younger students.

The Year 12 students take responsibility for many of the activities that occur within groups each morning, whether or not they are in an official House or School position. Likewise, our Year 11 cohort has taken responsibility for overseeing featured activities in Mentor time, including leading a group discussion for Men’s Health Week. It is a strength of the College that provides invaluable opportunities for these senior students, whilst building a natural connection between them and the Year 9 and 10 boys. This is important as they are able to form strong bonds across the year groups and the younger students often seek guidance and advice from the older member of their House.

I was recently listening to an address from our 1st XVIII Coach Steve Malaxos where he mentioned the strength of the bond between students across Year 11 and 12 and how important it was for the team. Having had the privilege of seeing the school musical We Will Rock You and then speaking with members of the cast and crew afterwards, this same bond was also evident. Students from younger year groups shared the importance of the connection they have with the senior boys and the leadership these boys provide them.

This year that student leadership has been particularly important, with some activities being postponed and others cancelled due to the COVID-19 situation. Our Year 12 cohort have led from the front and also encouraged others to take that responsibility. This was evident through our short period of remote learning, either side of the April holidays, with different online competitions and activities set up for the boys to participate in. A large number of students also supported the service activities, from both a School and a House perspective.

In Winter Term the House Singing competition again gave boys the opportunity to be involved in a whole House activity, providing leadership experiences for the senior boys as they led their Houses under the theme of ‘Kings and Queens’. With a number of adjustments to the dates, context and venue of these presentations due to the ongoing restrictions, the senior boys were required to navigate their Houses through a range of scenarios, and they did this well.

These leadership opportunities continued in Winter Term with Year 11 students encouraged to apply for House positions.

The boys applying then presented to their whole House and also underwent an interview process. Obviously not everyone can be successful in being appointed to a position, but much of the learning in these situations comes from working through the process and, for many, stepping beyond their comfort zone to put themselves forward. They did this with the support of our staff and their peers, and this is very important as there are leadership opportunities available for all Year 12 students, not just those holding an official position. These may exist in co-curricular pursuits, upon requests from staff to assist at points of need, through initiative and care for others, or through House or Mentor groups

organising teams for the Staff Trophy, or assisting younger students in their House.

Leadership opportunities also exist across the sub-schools, with our Year 2 and 12 Get Togethers remaining a popular event on the calendar. The senior students obviously enjoy the chance to work with our Junior School boys and the latter see it as a highlight.

They look up to the Year 12s and work with them on a challenge before sharing a meal together.

Leadership is often about putting others before yourself, reading a situation and intervening for the benefit of the group as a whole, or individuals who need support. Our formal leadership programme, led by Year 11 and 12 Coordinator Mark Gale, provides a framework for the boys to work within. It allows them to develop their skills based on a number of varied practical activities, mixed with some theoretical work and importantly, a focus on reflection and growth. It is a programme we are proud of and we believe it sets up our Year 12 cohort well for the challenges they will face as leaders of the school.

Year 2 and 12 Get Together

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Commerce An App that Brings Instruction to Life The app Explain Everything helps teachers break down complex concepts into instructional videos called vodcasts.

Commerce teachers regularly use Explain Everything for breaking down complex finance, economic and business concepts. Vodcasts are pre-recorded to introduce students to a new topic. ‘Flipping’ the lesson allows students to explore and experiment with concepts and calculations in their own time and at their own pace. Class time is used for clarifying student issues through problem solving and enriching discussion. Lessons are also recorded live using Explain Everything, enabling students to evaluate and refine their skills and consolidate their learning.

The shift in teaching and learning created by vodcasts is exciting for both Commerce staff and students. Explain Everything lets teachers create multiple modes of instruction through interaction, annotation, visual and verbal communication. This approach accommodates a variety of learning styles and stages that allows students to practise and gain confidence anywhere and anytime. Feedback from both parents and students has been extremely positive.

ECO745 Tutorials Commerce teacher Michael Ninkov is leading the ECO745 initiative within the Commerce Department. This programme develops and extends the knowledge and understanding of Economics by implementing before-school collaborative learning sessions. Designed to be collaborative and targeted in nature, the programme provides students with teacher support for content they need help with, or the teacher will deliver specific skills sessions.

Commerce Design Spaces The Commerce Department has been collaborating with Mathematics and Commerce Building architect, Taylor Robinson Chaney Broderick, to transform spaces into an additional discussion piece for student learning and engagement. Graphics include the top 10 world currencies, and the last 30 years of the stock market, featuring the Australian, United States and international share markets, Australian Government bonds, the cash rate and the consumer price index (CPI).

The building features commerce-targeted digital design and content. Ascending the stairs to the Commerce Department, five digital displays on a rolling feed showcase the latest news including from The Australian Financial Review and The Economist. Student learning and engagement is facilitated by topical TED talks, infographics covering all commerce-related needs and relevant Instagram feeds.

Mr Nathan Kime Curriculum Leader – Commerce Commerce-focused design features in the Mathematics and Commerce Building, photograph: Andrew Pritchard

School Captain Charlie Bevan, Shearer Captain Arun Tibballs and Headmaster Dr Alec O'Connell

Senior School Pastoral Care The second Year 11 Leadership Day took place in Winter Term with the keynote speaker being our very own Headmaster, Dr Alec O’Connell, who addressed the boys on the importance of individuals in a team process and the concept of one percenters.

Students were given a fascinating insight into the leadership of Sir Dave Brailsford CBE and how he approached leading and developing the British Olympic Cycling Team and Team Sky. Workshops and seminars ran throughout, focusing on delivering feedback, conflict resolution, group dynamics and team values.

With our Year 11 students taking the reins in their respective Houses in Spring Term, the day provided an invaluable opportunity for House groups to work together and lay the foundations for Year 12.

The Wellbeing programme in Years 9 and 10 continues to evolve.

Based on the SenseAbility programme from Beyond Blue, students focus on the development of essential life skills which assist them to deal with the challenges they face and interact more effectively with each other. These skills include communication, planning and time management, emotional recognition and regulation, helpful thinking and self-talk, keeping well and life problem solving. As our Year 9 cohort embarked on their Senior School journey, each student wrote a letter to their Year 12 self, setting out their goals and ambitions for their final years at the College. In Year 10, students commenced their leadership journey through the analysis and development of their working habits using writer Sean Covey’s ‘seven habits of highly effective teens’.

A real positive that came from the online period was the daily contact between students and their House Mentors and this continued throughout Autumn Term. The role of House Mentor in our pastoral care system has continued to evolve over the year, providing our students with invaluable support.

Despite the restrictions of COVID-19, the highly prized Staff Trophy was once again a fiercely competitive affair. The Vice-Captain of School (Operations) and their counterparts within each House worked incredibly hard to complete as many events as possible.

It’s Academic, Basketball, Debating, Chess and Soccer competitions have, amongst other events, provided all students in the Senior School with an opportunity to represent their respective Houses.

House Singing, the culmination of the Staff Trophy, took place during Week 6 in Winter Term. This year’s theme of ‘Kings and Queens’ saw classics from Queen, Taylor Swift and Freya Ridings, to name a few.

Mr Gareth Williams Deputy Head of Senior School

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Outdoor Education General Programme In 2019 the Outdoor Education General programme was offered for the first time as a curriculum-based programme through the Physical Education Department. The course aims to develop an understanding of our relationships with the environment, others and ourselves.

The Outdoor Education General course is based on the experiential learning cycle. This cycle is made up of three stages: plan, do and review. Students plan and undertake a range of outdoor activities and develop knowledge and skills for participating safely. They learn to assess risk and identify and apply appropriate management strategies and emergency response procedures.

Year 11 students have been taught and assessed in snorkelling, roping, mountain biking and orienteering. The two compulsory expeditions included:

Rottnest Snorkelling Expedition Boys looked into the best snorkelling sites and ran group sessions at specific locations depending on conditions. In preparation for the expedition, every student achieved their Bronze Medallion.

Munda Biddi Expedition Students learnt bicycle mechanics and planned a route along the Munda Biddi Trail from Manjimup to Nannup, splitting the 87 kilometres into sections for small groups to lead and plot emergency evacuation locations. In physical preparation for the expedition, students organised spin and assault bike sessions.

This year, the inaugural group of Year 12 students learnt surfing, abseiling, canoeing and kayaking. The two compulsory expeditions included:

Caving and Abseiling Expedition In preparation for this expedition students learnt general roping and climbing skills, and how to belay and abseil. Over three days students travelled to the Margaret River region and participated in adventure caving, abseiling and rock climbing in Golgotha Cave, Calgardup Pipe, Brides Cave and Wilyabrup Sea Cliffs. They developed their technical skills and applied appropriate practices to ensure safe participation.

Canoeing Expedition Boys selected a suitable section of the Murray River, travelling from Murray Hut and paddling for three days, with everything that they needed, to the Scotch College Moray site. In preparation the boys learnt about moving water, rapids and how to canoe in the school pool. They led briefing and debriefing sessions and appraised their own and others’ leadership skills.

Hypothermia was a significant risk factor with the cold-water temperature and weather conditions, which the boys successfully planned for, making it a very enjoyable expedition.

Mr Cas Gabriels Curriculum Leader – Health and Physical Education

50 Mile Walk The 34th annual 50 Mile Walk took place over the August long weekend, with Year 11 boys from Anderson, Shearer and Stuart Houses taking part in this unique challenge.

On the Thursday afternoon, 20 boys and a team of 11 staff departed Scotch College for Moray in Dwellingup. The night was filled with plenty of food, ice-breaker games and the traditional strapping of feet. Shaye Pett had the honour of reading No Sweat, by former staff member Greg Peck (OSC 1971), to the boys this year, and it was then that the enormity of the challenge started to sink in for the walkers.

At 3am on Friday morning, the walkers woke to the sound of Max de Nardi’s bagpipes blaring The Lion Sleeps Tonight. At 3.45am, bagpipes again filled the early morning sky to the tune of the school song and the walkers were on their way. Each hour, they were met by a team of support staff who transported their bags, water bottles and food. The group set a cracking pace early in the morning, with the support crew working hard to beat the walkers to each stop.

At the stop near Stringers Campsite around 10am, they were greeted by two PLC nurses who kindly volunteered their time to support them. Many boys used this stop to get their feet re-strapped and to get rid of some layers of clothes as they headed towards the warmest part of the day.

The pace slowed up during the afternoon, yet spirits raised when they were met by over 20 parents at the dinner stop near Baden Powell around 4.30pm. Warm clothes and head torches were put on again, as the group started their final few legs.

The completion of the 50 Mile Walk is always a special moment, with Max de Nardi bagpiping the walkers through the streamers and balloons to the cheers of parents and the support staff.

Twenty boys and four staff completed the 50 Mile Walk this year. A huge congratulations to all the boys who made the decision to take on this gruelling challenge. A massive thank you must go to the following staff who were involved: Lisa Evans, Nick Guard, Nick Warrington, Shaye Pett, Meg Baker, David Kyle, Prue Bermingham and PLC staff Audrey Lee, Phoebe Robinson and Nanette Smith.

Mr Scott Galipo Mathematics Teacher

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Mr Jordan Owenell

Boarding

Year 12 students in Albany during their final leg of the Bibbulmun Track

It has been wonderful to be back at Scotch College and to re-engage with our community in a new role as Head of Boarding.

Having worked at Scotch College previously for almost 10 years as a Humanities teacher and Head of House, before moving into a boarding role at another school, it feels great to be back at Scotch and leading our vibrant boarding community. My family and I have felt warmly welcomed and have quickly set about integrating ourselves into the weekly routines of Boarding at Scotch.

It has certainly been an interesting time to be Head of Boarding recently! As we began Autumn Term back in April, there were immediate challenges for us to face as a boarding community due to COVID-19.

Social distancing in a boarding environment is difficult at the best of times and the issue of weekend leave and recreation activities also had to be very carefully monitored.

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We stayed closely aligned with both WA health advice as well as national guidelines and, as WA started to move into Phase 3 and Phase 4 of the COVID-19 coronavirus: WA roadmap, we were able to ease some of our initial restrictions on students and families in our boarding environment which allowed for a few more smiles around the place! I have to say a big thank you to the boys and families for their patience and good grace during these trying times. A big thank you also to the Boarding staff for their adaptability and commitment.

It was great to see some important events come back into Boarding in Winter Term, especially our fortnightly Boarding Assembly in the Dining Room, which is our weekly affirmation of our community values. Boarding Assemblies have allowed us to include leadership speeches from our Year 11 boys for the role of Boarding Captain in 2021 and also our coveted SPIRIT Award, both of which were fantastic nights. Congratulations to Digby Cleland from Year 12, who is this year’s winner of the SPIRIT Award, and Brenton Macauley, our 2021 Boarding Captain.

Throughout this term we have also been able to open up recreation activities, as well as reboot our Bibbulmun Track expeditions, with Years 7–11 all going away at some stage this term for a walk on the Bibby. Having walked with the Year 9 boys myself this year I can attest to just how important this programme is to our boarding community. Not only is the scenery breathtaking, encouraging a real respect for our environment, but the walk is very challenging and helps boys learn important life skills about supporting each other and showing resilience. There is also a fantastic sense of achievement at the end of the week.

As part of our ongoing strategic planning we have decided on a new structure for Boarding from 2021. This new structure is designed to closely align our Boarding Houses with our Middle and Senior sub-schools, which means that we will no longer have three Boarding Houses. The standalone Year 9 Residence will cease to operate at the end of this year as we move to having a Middle School Residence (Year 7–8) and a Senior School Residence (Year 9–12). The current Year 9

Year 8s on the Bibbulmun Track Thomas Delroy, Year 12, Angus Johnston, Year 12, and James Holtham, Year 11, photograph: Claire Pelliccia

Senior students in the Keys House common area, photograph: Claire Pelliccia

Boarding facility will host other residential programmes for current and future families, such as holiday camps and accommodation during country week carnivals.

In 2021, Year 9 boarding students will reside in the Senior House as part of two new Year 9–12 vertical groups. A vertical system will allow for a boy’s Head of Residence to academically and pastorally track each student in their care over the duration of their time in the Senior School. This facilitates the forming of deeper relationships with each boy and their family. Each Head of Residence will have a House Parent and other staff to support them in their care of the boys. Dividing the Senior Residence into two groups from Year 9–12 will also encourage a stronger team approach to addressing common issues, whether they be behavioural or organisational.

Our staffing structure from 2021 will include three Heads of Residence who will work alongside the Head of Boarding. There will be a Head of Middle School Residence (Years 7–8) and two Heads of Senior School

Residence (Years 9–12). We are very confident that the new structure for 2021 and beyond will enable Scotch College to continue to deliver best practice in Boarding for the students and their families. Because our new model is more closely aligned with the academic and pastoral care structures within each day school, we believe our students will be given the best opportunities to flourish.

One of the main focuses for me in this role is to get out to regional communities and visit families in their local areas. Over the remaining weeks and months of this year, our Boarding staff will be travelling throughout WA and we hope to engage with families as much as possible. In early September, the Headmaster and I visited the Wheatbelt, including families in Northam, Merredin and Dalwallinu. The Director of Admissions, Engagement and Communications David Kyle and I also met families in the Mid-West and Gascoyne regions in late September.

Resident Mentor Daniel Bentley with Sam McGinniss, Year 10, photograph: Claire Pelliccia

In late October we are visiting the Great Southern and taking our beloved Pipe Band down to the Katanning Agricultural Show; and in November we are visiting the South West’s Bunbury and Dunsborough. Please get in touch on +61 8 9460 6655 if you are in the area during those times, as we would be thrilled to connect with our Scotch families, past, present and future.

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Captain Josh Keatch

Athletics

When the news was announced that there would be a Public Schools Association (PSA) Athletics carnival this year, the boys were filled with excitement and determination to have a crack at our sixth Alcock Shield in the last eight years and to achieve the onerous three-peat.

The Scotch College Athletics season commenced in the July holidays with boys from Year 7 to 12 coming down three times a week to build fitness and strength for the shortened season that lay ahead. On the morning of what was to be a big day, Mr Doney gave an inspirational speech regarding the guts that had been displayed by the team in previous years and the effort that would be required on this day to succeed. With everyone full of adrenaline from these motivating words, the boys walked through a guard of honour provided by the Pipe Band, ready to give their all.

Scotch College winning the Alcock Shield; photograph: Thomas Campbell

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Throughout the day, the boys in burgundy and gold competed hard, consistently filling up the top places in most events. Special mention goes to Reuben Westerman and Jaxon Hayden for competing despite their injuries and illnesses on the day. Although, in terms of guts, I cannot go on without mentioning the race from Kalib Dempster Park who, after being out for the last two weeks due to a hamstring issue, was unsure whether he would run. Yet, after being passed in the final 100 metres of his race, he showed pure resilience and fought back to claim the victory. This inspired the team and set an example of the team’s expectations, early on in the day.

We wrapped up a wonderful day of competing with several wins in the relays which secured our spot as first place overall.

A big thanks goes out to all the specialist coaches that helped throughout the season in particular Mr Gale, Mr Foster and Mr Doney for organising the team and preparing us for the big day.

It has been a true honour to run for Scotch College in Athletics over the years. I am sure that the younger boys will continue Scotch’s strong Athletics legacy in the years to come.

Captain Rory Bruce

Badminton

The 2020 Badminton teams were distinguished by their development, efficacy and drive throughout the season.

Whilst the Firsts began the season as one of the weaker teams, the tremendous growth from the athletes and brief reshuffle of members saw the group become stronger.

Having lost the first two fixtures, the team’s seventh and final member, Max Weir, had returned from his hiatus caused by a broken arm. In the following fixture, Scotch fought proudly against a muchimproved Trinity College. Within the singles portion of the day, the teams were tied 3–3, thanks to convincing wins from Tim Imison, Charlie Yin and Milan Narula. The subsequent doubles round proved effective. Max and Milan, as well as David Winton and myself, won after long-fought matches. This led to a strong morale boost for the team, and saw us achieve a pivotal win against Wesley College the proceeding week. After that there was a win against Guildford Grammar School.

The final match for the first half of the Baddy season displayed the age-long rivalry between Scotch and Christ Church Grammar School. Although Mr Foster fervently supported the team in the painstakingly long three-set matches that transgressed, the Scotch team was unable to beat Christ Church. Ultimately, a number of strong wins in the second half of the season coupled with a loss against Wesley, despite the team’s diligent efforts in training, solidified the team’s position of fourth on the ladder.

A special thanks to Mr Ryan Foster, Andrew Singh and Harrison Burt needs to be made due to their strong commitment to helping the team grow in training and the support given on match days.

Their contribution to the Scotch Baddy team is beyond the expected duties of attending fixtures and training, and much of the team’s achievement can be attributed to the coaches’ efforts.

It has been a real honour to lead the team this year and I am confident that Scotch can perform well next year, especially with the Year 11 talent already in the 1st VI. Good luck to all teams in the 2021 season and beyond. Congratulations also to those Year 12 students who have supported Badminton over the past two years, it has been great to play with you.

Tim Imison, Year 11 (left), and Charlie Yin, Year 11 (right); Milan Narula, Year 11; David Winton, Year 12 (left) and Rory Bruce, Year 12 (right); photographs: Derren Hall

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Captain Josh Keatch

Cross Country The Scotch Senior Cross Country team started the 2020 season with an astonishing round of fixtures. Filled with young talent and hardworking, persistent athletes, the team came away from the home and away fixtures with an almost-perfect race record of 6–1, falling short to Aquinas College in what was a close race.

This placed us second overall, due to a detrimental narrow win over long-time rivals Christ Church Grammar School in the final race.

Our success in races is due to the amount of Year 7, 8 and 9 boys that came and ran with us after their usual Friday fixtures. Without them it would be a different story.

Furthermore, we illustrated our team values by putting on a show for the home crowd at the first Public Schools Association (PSA) All Schools race. With many injuries appearing throughout the team, we started to drop positions towards the end of the race. All boys ran tremendously well and whilst two of our top 15 runners, Jack Cook and Tane Hasler, were out from injury the team managed to come out on top and secure second place for one of Scotch’s best results for the year. Thanks to Mr Doney, the boys showed grit and resilience when finishing off the race, demonstrating that it is not legs that we run with, but the mind and the heart.

Josh Keatch, Year 12 (top); Oliver Knuckey, Year 7 (left); Reid Knox Lyttle, Year 7 (right); Cross Country All Schools race in Kings Park; photographs: Erica Lorimer

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Captain Hamish Gooch

Football

I think it is fair to say that the season could not have started any better. Our first game was a nail-biting four-point win over Aquinas College at home, followed by a tight win over the reigning premiers Hale School.

After displaying a high degree of team spirit and camaraderie on both occasions, it was evident that we had a special team. Our high-pressured intensity was a relentless force that surprised our opposition and put them on the back foot. After the first two remarkable wins, we soon found out that we would not play either Hale or Aquinas again due to the shortened season. As our confidence began to grow, standards were set as we appreciated that there were still another eight games left and it was crucial that we did not get ahead of ourselves.

The team cohesion between the two year groups was impeccable.

The Year 12 group were always an undersized and undeveloped group of boys in the junior stages. We used to get beaten by most teams, but you could not fault the effort. As each season progressed, we would be faster, stronger and fitter but our competitiveness did

not change. It did not matter who we were up against, we would never give up and this unrelenting attitude was contagious in the team and was a key driver in this year’s success.

The Year 11s slotted into the side perfectly. They were the slick outside players who provided run whilst the inside players competed hard for their teammates. The two year groups forged close friendships and you could back every player to give 100 per cent on the field at all times.

Our main goal this year was to try and improve at every training session throughout the season. “To control what we can control” was a message imprinted in our minds as we were encouraged to concentrate on one game at a time. This mentality and step-by-step approach meant that no opposition was underestimated as we knew that during the shortened season every game counted.

Overall on behalf of the boys, a huge thank you must be extended to Steve Malaxos, Mr Guard, Mitch Clarke, Mr Jahn, Mr Dwyer, Harry Sinclair, Justin Crump and Mr Bridle for their continuous support and guidance throughout the season. We are extremely grateful to you for taking the time out of your own lives to help us grow as players and we realise the end result would not have been possible without your constant dedication to the team. Your efforts did not go unnoticed.

Football 1st XVIII team winning the Alcock Cup, photographs: Derren Hall

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Captain Max Shervington

Golf

Greeted with perfect, benign conditions at our new location for this year, Seaview Golf Club Cottesloe, the Scotch Public Schools Association (PSA) team enthusiastically prepared to take on our fellow PSA schools in the annual tournament.

Due to COVID-19, some adjustments to the day’s scheduling and the nature of the competition’s play were required. All players teed off from the first hole, rather than a shotgun start as in previous years, which saw some nerves creep into the opening drives as the gallery of players and parents watched on.

The Scotch team, comprising of Will Gale, Cooper Stanley, Jack Tylich, Jurie Terblanche, Lachlan Simpson and myself, all thoroughly enjoyed the day, with Cooper scoring the lowest off the stick amongst our boys. There was great camaraderie amongst the players throughout the 18 holes.

Trinity College were the eventual winners; their combined lowest four scores won the day convincingly from the second and third place-getters. The lowest score of the day was recorded by a Trinity student – 74 off the stick.

Thanks to Seaview for accommodating this event for 2020 at short notice. If the putts did not drop, at least the views across to Rottnest took the players’ minds off things!

Final results 1st Trinity College 2nd Christ Church Grammar School 3rd Hale School 4th Scotch College 5th Guildford Grammar School 6th Aquinas College 7th Wesley College

Lachlan Simpson, Year 12 (above); Max Shervington, Year 12 (below)

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Captain Max Freedman

Hockey

Scotch’s Hockey teams embarked on their respective age-group competitions with great excitement. Historically, Scotch is one of the strongest Hockey schools in the Public Schools Association (PSA) and this was evident with strong seasons from the younger age groups.

The Year 9s finished with two wins and two losses and the Year 8s won two and drew one.

The senior teams, including the Seconds and Thirds, had dominant seasons reflecting the depth of the senior boys. The Seconds recorded five wins and two losses, scoring 30 goals for and only six against. The Thirds, coached by Old Scotch Collegian Cameron Murie (OSC 2018), survived the season undefeated, conceding no goals against.

The Firsts started the season with anticipation; looking forward to working with new coach Andrew Mellor, a well-known coach in the hockey community who has coached state teams for over 10 years.

Knowing the competition was strong and even, the task ahead to win the Ray House Cup was going to be very challenging. A strong first game against Aquinas College saw a 3–1 win, followed by a gruelling loss the week after to Hale School, which reminded the squad that no team is a walkover. A close 2–1 win against Trinity College saw the younger years adapt to the pace of the game and pressure of representing their school at the highest level. With the next three fixtures the toughest of them all, Wesley College, Guildford Grammar School and Christ Church Grammar School, the squad worked hard to improve on weaknesses evident in the games prior. A draw to Wesley, the Ray House winners, was arguably the greatest game we played, displaying heart and pride. However, close losses to Guildford and Christ Church saw us with a tough task to be in contention to win the cup.

Overall, the Firsts endured a tough season with marginal losses and many games that could have gone either way, rounding out the season with four wins, one draw and five losses. However, despite the results not showing the squad’s full potential, the boys came away with many lessons learnt and, with only five Year 12s departing, there is a strong chance of regaining the Ray House Cup in the years ahead.

A final thanks must go to coaches Andrew Mellor and Harry Paull, who were pivotal in the development and success of the team, and our manager, Kate Webster-Blythe, for her role on the bench and organising the boys week in, week out.

Hockey 1st Team playing Guildford Grammar School; Oliver Perrin, Year 11 (centre); photographs: Derren Hall

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Captain Damian Haynes

Rugby

The team started the 2020 Rugby pre-season with one common goal in mind. Win the Brother Redmond Cup and bring it home.

No doubt the boys were eager to experience the feeling that so few do – winning the Public Schools Association (PSA) Rugby season.

Through pure enjoyment, sacrifice and pride, the 1st XV squad achieved this goal with exceptional game figures, going undefeated throughout the entirety of the season. However, this was not without the experiences the boys had of playing top tier rugby schools, Thornlie Senior High School and Rugby WA champion school, Aranmore Catholic College.

The start of the 2020 PSA Rugby season: game one against Hale School. A strong team. We knew this was a must-win, season-defining game. A game in which we could not fall short. The nerves were flying high with everyone in the changerooms before the game. After a nail-biting victory, the season was well and truly underway. We headed back to the drawing board to focus on how we would tackle our next biggest opponents, Trinity College and Christ Church Grammar

Rugby 1st XV Team winning the Brother Redmond Cup, photograph: Derren Hall

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School. With strong performances from the team, we were able to win these pivotal games that allowed some breathing space for the boys for the rest of the season.

The hard, long hours grinding in the gym and on the field saw the team grow both physically and mentally ultimately leading to our undefeated season victory in 2020 to regain the Brother Redmond Cup for the fifth time in six years. A massive credit goes to the coaches Mr Creighton, Mr Wood and Connor O’Sullivan, for the dedication shown throughout the season, inspiring the boys in ways words cannot describe. The relentless time and dedication the boys showed when on the pitch or in the gym was without doubt the hardest working team that I have been a part of. Fond memories grew throughout our reduced PSA season and the impact they had on the team is one that will not be forgotten.

The Rugby programme is one of the strongest sporting programmes at Scotch College, and I encourage all boys considering it as a Sport to join. The friendships you will form will last a lifetime and the memories will last a decade. To the Year 11s, best of luck next season. You are a talented group of players with a prospering future. To the Year 10s, congratulations on your successful season this year, and best of luck for your future endeavors in Rugby.

Captain Jamie Johnstone

Soccer

The season started at home against Aquinas College. With new players coming into the team and old players stepping up, we felt confident.

We walked away with a close 1–0 win, which put us in a brilliant spot to start the season. Our next game was by far the most important: Hale School away. We came away with a lucky 0–0 draw but we played like professionals. This gave the whole team motivation that the league was in reach. We went on a three-game win streak pumping Trinity College, Wesley College and Guildford Grammar School.

This was when our short winning run came to an end. We had a huge game against Christ Church Grammar School at home. They ended up beating us 3–0. As you can imagine this faded a couple of the boys and we soon switched back into reality. We realised that we could not just cruise into games hoping to win, we needed to get our mindsets right. Our next game was Trinity at home – we all knew that it was not going to be as easy. We ended up losing, again, 3–1 this time. This was rock bottom, but as we all know there is only one place to go from there.

Our next game was Christ Church at their home ground. I tried to motivate the boys in a way that would completely change our mindset.

I specifically said to not worry about the league and to focus on making it the most physically challenging game for them. Straight off the bat, I could see the lads all wanted it more. We ended up beating them 1–0 and I could see the fire in us was relit.

Hearing the news about Hale losing to Aquinas at home, we soon came to realise we still had a shot at the trophy. At Wesley away we were 2–0 down at half time, but with Mr Foster and Headmaster Dr O’Connell watching, we realised we had to put on a show. We brought it back to 2–2 and walked away with a well-fought draw.

Unfortunately, this put us in the fight for second place. Realising it was the last game of the season, we ended up beating Guildford 7–1, just to make a final statement. All in all, the season was filled with ups and downs but it is one we as a team will never forget.

Soccer 1st Team playing Guildford Grammar School, photographs: Derren Hall

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Co-Captain Archie Frazer

Surfing

Inter House Surfing Competitions

PSA Surfing Competition

Held at Leighton Beach in a crisp winter swell, the competition made it clear the Scotch Surfing team was capable of a bright and fruitful season. Hugh Mitchell came away with a tight win in the senior surf.

The senior bodyboarders saw Nicholas Verryn getting the edge over Jamie Waddell and coming away with the win.

Scotch took second place to Christ Church Grammar School, handing over the trophy after a good few years in our cabinet.

This pleasing result can be attributed to our junior surfing team, who placed second in their division, and both bodyboarding teams, junior and senior, who won their divisions.

The Junior Inter House Surfing was at Trigg Beach. Special mention goes to Hugh Fellow-Smith entering freezing winter waters in just boardshorts and a rash-vest. Dan Boshart took the win in the bodyboarding final and Joe Matthews won the surfing final.

Overall, the Scotch Surfing team had a good season, rising above the many setbacks the worldwide pandemic dealt us. Thanks to Mr Rugg and Mr Wisniewski who have played an essential role in the team’s continual success over the years. Moreover, a huge thank you to the parents and guardians of the boys for supporting, organising and transporting the entire team.

Surfing WA Metro Surfing Competition Day Three This was the highlight of Scotch’s Surfing season, where we took the win over a large variety of Perth schools. Special mentions go to Jackson Conti and Joe Matthews, who placed second in the junior surfing division, and James Bennett who won the senior surfing division, alongside me.

Clockwise: PSA Surfing at Scarborough Beach featuring Matt Galjaardt, Year 10 (left); Jackson Conti, Year 9 (top right); Dan Boshart, Year 9 (bottom right in yellow); photographs: Kirsty Browne-Cooper

40 | sports

Ms Yasmin McDonald

Archives Donations

Jillian and Geoffrey Goldsmith Jillian Goldsmith and her son Geoffrey Goldsmith (OSC 1985) donated a significant photographic album belonging to her late father, and Geoffrey’s late grandfather, Geoffrey Arthur Patrick Maxwell (OSC 1918).

The album depicts life on the family station, trips through the Murchison in a convertible soft-top automobile, summers at Rottnest, sailing Freshwater Bay, Geoffrey Maxwell

stroking the 1917–18 Head of the River, gymnastics displays on the top oval, early images of the Boat Shed, and life at Scotch College from 1915–18.

Geoffrey Maxwell was an outstanding sportsman and athlete. The sentiment of his natural talent is captured in the 1955 telegram donation of ABC’s live radio broadcast which states:

“It is with great sorrow we announce the death of Geoff Maxwell. He was – without a doubt – one of the finest types produced by Scotch College and one of the best all-round athletes this state has seen.

It is not easy to say goodbye to one who was so kind and understanding, and our sporting community will be the poorer at his passing.

Vale Geoff Maxwell – a great sportsman.”

Clockwise: Scotch Rowing Crew VIII, c. 1916; Scotch Gymnastics display featuring Geoffrey Maxwell (centre), c. 1918; Scotch Gymnastics display on the top oval featuring Geoffrey Maxwell (centre, third row), c. 1918

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Archives James Hindle James Hindle (OSC 1985) donated his summer school uniform shirt, which was signed on the final day of school by his teachers and fellow leavers, and a suite of his drawings. The latter depicts individual caricatures of the First and Second Football Teams, which he coached for over 10 years from 1999.

Margaret Hodgson Margaret Hodgson donated a remarkable photograph album, which belonged to her father-in-law James ‘Jim’ Alfred George Hodgson (OSC 1928), capturing student life during the mid-1920s.

Born in Yealering, Jim won the prestigious Gooch Scholarship in 1926 and was a prize-winning student who sat on many school committees.

The collection offers a rare glimpse into Jim’s time as a boarder, depicting school life and the College grounds. He captured firsthand adventures of fellow peers arriving at Collegians House for the first day of term, Boarding House dormitories, table tennis competitions, the camaraderie of the 1st XI Cricket Team, games on the Playing Fields, rowing at the Boat Shed, Headmaster PC Anderson, visiting military service personnel and seaplanes on the Swan River.

The album depicts his boarding friends, including Ronald Gardiner (OSC 1927), Ron S. Bond (OSC 1927), Clarence Daw OAM (OSC 1926), Albert Bailey (OSC 1927), Eric Ferrier (OSC 1928), Alfred ‘John’ Burton (OSC 1927), James S. Davenport (OSC 1930), Oswald Bennett (OSC 1925) and Henry Dale (OSC 1929). Jim hailed from a family of OSCs including his four brothers Henry ‘Harry’ Hodgson (OSC 1920), William ‘Bill’ Hodgson (OSC 1923), Oliver ‘Noll’ Hodgson (OSC 1928) and Richard ‘Dick’ Hodgson (OSC 1940); his sons Colin Hodgson (OSC 1955) and Brian Hodgson (OSC 1960); his grandson Reid Hodgson (OSC 1986); and many more cousins and nephews.

Natasha Kusmuk and Gordon Duus

Shelley James

Simon Riebensahm donated two editions of Reporter, 1956 Vol XLIX and a 1957 Vol L, and a Head of the River racing programme dated 27 April 1957, published by the Public Schools Association (PSA).

Shelley James donated textiles belonging to her son Mathew James (OSC 1999).

The donation includes his 1998 Auxiliary Exchange blazer, featuring over one hundred enamel exchange badges from all over the world, and his felted senior blazer.

Graeme Johnson Graeme Johnson, father of Drew (OSC 2002) and Mark Johnson (OSC 2005), donated letters and photographs depicting the commemoration of OSCs who served in Vietnam and Borneo. The image features Graeme, Acting Headmaster Peter Freitag and Terry Needs (OSC 1965) attending the event, which saw a Memorial Hall honour board dedication to Corporal John Needs (OSC 1964).

Natasha Kusmuk and Gordon Duus donated a slide, featuring students marching at the opening ceremony of the 1962 Commonwealth Games at Perry Lakes Stadium on 22 November 1962.

John Linton John Linton (OSC 1967) donated documentation from his final year at school, including the 1967 Speech Night programme, featuring Headmaster Maxwell Keys’ address to the school, and a song book of student songs, prayers and hymns.

Simon Riebensahm

Kim Roberts Kim Roberts, father of James (OSC 1998) and Andrew (OSC 1999), donated film reels of Scotch events, dated from 1949–69. The nostalgic footage has been narrated by an unknown author in real time.

The footage’s provenance is unknown, however, given the detailed knowledge of the narrator, the most likely candidate is past school master Don Thomas – who regularly filmed the College during this period.

The footage features the Under 14 freestyle race at Claremont Baths, 1950 christening of the HR Nash Rowing Boat, Headmaster PC Anderson’s retirement parade, 1950s PSA Football matches, and 1953 Pipe Band performances led by Prefect, School Captain and Drum Major, Ned Gmeiner (OSC 1953).

Henry Dale (OSC 1929), c. 1926–28; Two students inside M-Block Boarding House, c. 1926–28; Scotch College marching at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games at Perry Lakes Stadium, 1962

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Laurelei Moore, Gaye McLindin and Dr Leigh Sheppard Siblings Laurelei Moore, Gaye McLindin and Dr Leigh Sheppard donated material belonging to their father Sherbourne Murray Sheppard (OSC 1925) and uncle Melville Digby Sheppard (OSC 1924), including images of the pair growing up in Java, Sherbourne wearing his RAAF uniform, and photographs of him later in life.

The sisters fondly remember their father reminiscing about the “wonderful years he spent at Scotch”.

Sherbourne was born in 1908, off the coast of Darwin, to an Australian father and British South African mother. He was one of four siblings – older brother Melville and two younger sisters, Wilga and Win (Ethelwyn).

The family grew up on rubber plantations in the Dutch East Indies (East Java), speaking Dutch, Indonesian and English.

During the Second World War, Sherbourne joined the RAAF and travelled on the Queen Mary from New York to London, dodging the U-boats. He was a reconnaissance photographer on the bombing raids over Europe.

Laurelei recalled: “He married our mother and settled in Melbourne after the War. Dad remained at the bank as their official photographer and won many photographic awards. He died in 1986, survived by his 14 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.

His brother Melville went on to become a prominent surgeon in England and has a hospital wing named after him in Essex.”

The brothers were the grandsons of Sherbourne Sheppard, who founded Shepparton in Victoria, and the greatgrandsons of Jonathan Binns Were, founder of the eminent stockbroking business JB Were.

When he first arrived at Scotch College as a boarder with Melville, he was known as ‘Dutchie’.

Headmaster Andrew Syme Former Headmaster Andrew Syme donated an antique desk gifted to him by Headmaster Bill Dickinson. The writing desk was designed and built by school carpenters for Bill’s entrance to the College. The desk belonged to both Headmasters over a 40-year period and was originally housed in the Residence.

Andrew stated that “innumerable reports, notes and communications to the Scotch community came from this desk”.

Vicki Weston Vicki Weston donated a well-worn Bible belonging to her father Raymond Eric Hepworth (OSC 1944).

Raymond was awarded the Bible for Boarders Bible Class Presbyterian in Form VIIA1. Tucked inside is an award sticker featuring the school crest, hand signed by Headmaster PC Anderson in December 1944.

Lindsay Wilson Lindsay Wilson (OSC 1960) kindly donated a photographic album from the mid-1950s to late-1960s. Taken during his time as a boarder, the album features his friends at Cottesloe Beach, Athletics carnivals on the Playing Fields, school balls at Memorial Hall, the 1958 Boarders Dance, students posing in the entrance hall to Collegians House in their ballgowns,

and post-school social gatherings with fellow OSCs. Enclosed is a range of letters from 1955–58 that Lindsay wrote to his parents, which includes a 1956 Report Card and beautiful bound book, Under The Red Sea by Hans Hass, awarded in 1956 for Dux of Form 3G, hand signed by Headmaster Maxwell Keys.

Biology excursion to City Beach with Master ‘Beads’ Don Thomas, 1960; Lindsay Wilson (OSC 1960) (right) and Norman Gay (OSC 1960) (above) at Cottesloe Beach, 1957

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Scotch Parents We would like to thank the Scotch community for their continued support during these difficult times.

Your $25 Scotch Parents contribution per term has been used to fund grant requests, which not only enhances our College but more importantly enriches our boys’ experience at school.

Year 10s teaching Year 7s to use a 3D printer in Design & Technology

Thank You for Giving The College did not hold an Annual Appeal this year, as we were very aware of the financial challenges many families are facing.

Having said this, we received many enquiries from our community asking if they could still give financial support to the College.

In my new role as Director of Advancement and Philanthropy, I want to express my thanks to the members of our community who donated to our Scholarship and Bursary Fund, providing a Scotch College education to students for whom it may not otherwise have been possible.

Scotch College owes its very existence to giving – starting in 1897 when Jane Alexander and her husband wanted to send their son to a Presbyterian school for boys in Perth and gave an initial donation of 500 pounds. Without this generous founding gift, our great College would not have come into being. As a result of subsequent gifts and donations, our school has grown and flourished to become a world-class College that to-date has graduated over 15,000 students.

Why Support Us? Like all independent colleges, our day-to-day operational expenses are met by a combination of fees paid by our parents as well as grants from state and federal governments. We acknowledge the many sacrifices made by our community to fund the education we provide, as well as the generous government support that we use wisely to sustain our strengths.

However, in order to grow and flourish in a competitive educational market, we must also rely on the goodwill and generosity of the Scotch community. This generosity provides critical funding to our College so we can continue to offer scholarships, support students, provide contemporary teaching and learning spaces, and new facilities for many years to come.

If you would like to discuss the many ways you can give to our school, including through tax deductible funds or bequests, please contact the Office of Advancement and Philanthropy and speak with myself on +61 8 9383 6832 or kate.quinn@scotch.wa.edu.au; or Mel Colling, Executive Assistant on +61 8 9383 6987 or mel.colling@scotch.wa.edu.au.

A few items approved this year include: • Replacing 10 large drink containers for Public Schools Association (PSA) Sport and carnivals • Free-standing drink fountains in the Middle School • Purchasing moveable soft floor rugs for the Library Gallery One of the most innovative and exciting projects funded by Scotch Parents this year is Studio Scotch, proposed by Enrichment Coordinator Sam Sterrett and Design & Technology Teacher Steve McLean.

The teachers required the purchase of necessary equipment to facilitate a podcasting and vodcasting studio on campus that provides students, school leaders, Old Scotch Collegians (OSC) and teachers with an increasingly popular and powerful medium through which to share and communicate the culture and life at Scotch.

Studio Scotch has seen the recent launch of The Range Project. This is an educational podcast that draws lessons from those who have made a habit of expanding their range. Sam and Steve interview varied guests who have gone beyond an area of their specialisation and found a new passion in the process. Through Studio Scotch, The Range Project can now be found on Spotify, iTunes and Google Podcasts.

Whilst it has been a quiet year for social events, we have been fortunate to have had some parent functions during Winter Term. The Scotch and PLC Sundowner held in September was a sell out and enjoyed by many. This was an opportunity for all our parents to reconnect in a relaxed social environment.

The Scotch Parents Committee have been busy coordinating March Out and are now organising the Valedictory Dinner to give our graduating boys the very special farewell celebration they deserve.

I wanted to take this opportunity to say a heartfelt thank you to our committee who have continued to work tirelessly during an unprecedented year.

A special mention must go to Amanda Harris who after several years as Treasurer is hanging up her pen and calculator.

To each and every one of you – Old Scotch Collegians, past parents and relatives, current parents, grandparents – our sincere thanks for your generosity. Your gift, no matter what size, is greatly appreciated and vital to our College.

Our AGM will be in December and we will have the following positions available: President, Vice President and Treasurer. We would love to see parents from Junior School become involved and join our vibrant community. If you have an enquiry, please get in touch at scotchparents@scotch.wa.edu.au.

Mrs Kate Quinn Director of Advancement and Philanthropy

Ms Kate Reynolds Scotch Parents President

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Mr Michael Silbert

OSC President Report This year’s COVID-19 pandemic has presented unexpected challenges for Old Scotch Collegians (OSC) around the world.

We have not been alone in having to cancel, reschedule or reshape many of our planned activities. The health and wellbeing of our alumni is paramount, and we would rather postpone a reunion or event than have one of our Old Boys fall ill.

I want to acknowledge the exceptional efforts of all our OSC families who are on the frontline during this pandemic, particularly our health professionals. In WA, where we have been relatively successful in protecting our population from COVID-19, that recognition should extend to our current Deputy Premier, Minister for Health and Mental Health, Hon. Roger Cook MLA (OSC 1982) who has been at the forefront of decision making for many long months. We look forward to hosting Roger at our upcoming Founders’ Day Dinner.

OSC Events The Career Focus Breakfasts have been an ongoing success, with OSCs joining Year 12s at small breakfasts to give career guidance and advice. As always the annual Wine Tasting was a very popular event, and this year featured fantastic wines from Woodlands and delicious food pairings from the College’s own Chef, Scott Alfonso. All present enjoyed the presentation and wine stories from Woodlands’ David Watson (OSC 1961).

We are very much looking forward to our annual Founders’ Day Dinner on Friday 23 October, which we believe to be the oldest unbroken Public Schools Association (PSA) alumni event in WA.

College Engagement I once again had the pleasure of participating in the selection process for the PC Anderson Scholarship. OSCs established the Scholarship to commemorate the contribution made

by Headmaster PC Anderson (1904–45).

It recognises a current Year 11 student who embodies the spirit and values of Scotch College and who has striven for excellence across academics, leadership, community service, co- and extra-curricular activities, and sport. It is supported by the donations and bequests of our alumni and is awarded annually to sons or grandsons of OSCs. As always it was an almost impossible task and I was again impressed by the quality of the candidates. I am so pleased to congratulate Will Marshall, son of Jeff Marshall (OSC 1988), as the 2020 PC Anderson Scholar.

The PC Anderson Scholarship is awarded simultaneously with the WR Dickinson Scholarship, which goes to a student who does not have an OSC connection. In the selection process, and together with Mrs Julie Dickinson, we saw young men, and future OSCs, of whom we will no doubt become proud as they progress in their careers and in the community.

OSCs continued our engagement with Scotch’s current students at the annual Year 12 Reward Breakfast, at which we welcomed Dr Michael Winlo (OSC 1997). Michael was School Captain, and is a medical entrepreneur who shared his journey and reminded the boys to think differently and rely on their Scotch values as they pursue their dreams.

The Targeted Tuition programme, funded by the OSC, continues to be an effective study tool for current students. This year, the programme provided students with small group revision and tutoring sessions, run by Old Boys.

Happy 100th Birthday PLC Old Collegians On behalf of OSC, we recently wished PLC Old Collegians a happy 100th birthday. We were invited to attend a wonderful assembly at PLC, attended by PLC alumni who so fondly remembered their associations with Scotch since their school days.

around the hearth – of home and of school – that we build the values and the cultures that are so dear to us.

OSC Business Network To support OSC businesses, many of which have been significantly impacted

by COVID-19, we have highlighted OSCs and their businesses through our business spotlight emails and social media posts.

In early 2021 we will be launching an online business directory featuring OSC and Scotch community businesses.

To be included in this programme contact Alumni Officer Cass Macgowan on cass.macgowan@scotch.wa.edu.au.

Looking Forward We have tentatively set dates for events and reunions in 2021 and would love to hear from members of the reunion classes interested in driving their respective events. Our decade reunions are always a highlight for returning classes, and the support and assistance provided by the alumni in coordinating the events has a direct correlation to their success. If your reunion should have been in 2020, our general approach will be to hold it in 2021. As always, you are able to connect with the OSCs on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Please let us know if you are changing email addresses.

On behalf of our OSC Committee, I would like to thank all OSCs for the incredible enthusiasm and engagement we have enjoyed this year. Personally, I would like to thank the OSC Committee and our fantastic Alumni Officer Cass Macgowan, who have worked in very uncertain circumstances in 2020. We have had to continuously adapt and pivot during the year, and make decisions we have never had to face before.

The year has been a challenging one for everyone, and we look forward to your support and attendance at events in 2021!

Mr Michael Silbert President, Old Scotch Collegians

We wished PLC’s Old Collegians many more years of success, remembering that it is

old scotch collegians | 45

OSC Calendar 23 October 2020 Founders’ Day Dinner Scotch College Dining Room 11 November 2020 Remembrance Day Service Collegians House Verandah 13 November 2020 Seniors’ Lunch Scotch College Dining Room 20 November 2020 Class of 1970 Fifty Year Reunion Claremont Yacht Club

21 November 2020 1970 Alcock Cup and Darlot Cup Fifty Year Reunion The Sandbar Scarborough 30 November 2020 St Andrew’s Day Vale Service Scotch College Chapel 4 December 2020 Class of 1960 Sixty Year Reunion Scotch College Dining Room

December 2020 AGM 2020 Scotch College 23 March 2021 AGM 2021 Scotch College 28 May 2021 Seniors’ Lunch Scotch College Dining Room 22 October 2021 Founders’ Day Dinner Scotch College Dining Room

Celebrating Lives Eric Arthur Payne

1943

John Graham Stone

1954

Murray Symonds

1954

Garry Ian Winning

1955

Craig James Butterworth Greg Stowe

OSC Business Spotlight The Old Scotch Collegians (OSC) have created the OSC Business Spotlight to support its members through the challenges of COVID-19 and beyond.

The initiative highlights alumni and their businesses through the OSC eNews and social media.

Visit bit.ly/OSC_ BusinessSpotlightForm to have your business featured.

The Business Spotlight is a small part of Scotch’s larger community business initiative that will be launched in late 2020.

1982 Past Staff

Notice of Annual General Meeting Notice is hereby given of the Old Scotch Collegians (WA) Inc. Annual General Meeting, to be held at 6pm, Tuesday 23 March 2021 in the Scotch Heritage Centre, attached to Memorial Hall.

Nominations from Ordinary Members (an OSC who has paid their life membership fee) for three-year committee positions are now open. Nomination forms can obtained from Alumni Officer Cass Macgowan via +61 8 9383 6849 or cass.macgowan@ scotch.wa.edu.au and must be submitted in writing, countersigned by at least one Ordinary Member and sent to PO Box 223 Claremont WA 6010.

Nominations must be received at the above address no later than Tuesday 9 March 2021. Nominations received after this time will be considered invalid.

Business • Apologies and Minutes of the previous AGM • President’s Report • Treasurer’s Report – presentation of accounts • Results of Committee elections • Election of Immediate Past School Captain, as ex-officio Committee member • Other Business of the Association Jeremy Walden Secretary Old Scotch Collegians (WA) Inc.

Andvare Group

designFARM

Justin Willis (OSC 1989) Principal and Co-Founder

Jamie Washer (OSC 1997) Director

Andvare is an engineering services company, offering solutions to the mining and infrastructure industries. Andvare specialises in bulk materials handling products, including conveying systems, transfer chutes, stockyards and wharf process infrastructure.

The highly innovative designFARM sell premium commercial and residential furniture, designed by world-renowned designers.

Justin has many fond memories of his five years at Scotch, with the adventure camps and Bibbulmun Track hike in the depths of winter some of the most formative. His two sons now attend Scotch and Justin values the ongoing emphasis on school spirit and sense of community that was so central to his time as a student.

Justin graduated with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from Curtin University and worked with Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM), later bought out by the USbased Jacobs, before founding Andvare Group. He welcomes recent alumni studying Mechanical Engineering to get in touch about any work experience needs.

46 | old scotch collegians

Jamie began at Scotch in Year 7 and still has vivid memories of his time as a student.

He remains good mates with the majority of his friends from Scotch. After graduating, Jamie dabbled in university before travelling throughout South East Asia and Europe. On his return to Perth, he joined designFARM in a marketing and sales role and has remained there ever since.

He is passionate about ethically made, sustainable furniture created to improve lives, whether at home or in the workplace.

Jamie is happy to connect with students or alumni interested in interior design, architecture and construction.

Events Return to the Grounds The Young Old Scotch Collegians Committee held their inaugural event on Saturday 1 August. Designed to encourage alumni to return to Scotch and support the current sports, the barbeque breakfast was held on the day Scotch 1st teams went up against their age-old rivals, Christ Church Grammar School. The morning was a resounding success and the Committee are dedicated to turning this into a recurring event. Special thanks to Alex Aberle-Leeming (OSC 2008), Lach Pethick (OSC 2014), Will Goyder (OSC 2015), Oli Heath (OSC 2015), Denver Quantrill (OSC 2016), Yarlalu Thomas (OSC 2015), Mitchell Clarke (OSC 2017), Harry Gilchrist (OSC 2019) and Lachie Phillips (OSC 2018).

Old Scotch Collegians

Will Goyder (OSC 2015), Oli Heath (OSC 2015), Lachie Phillips (OSC 2018) and Denver Quantrill (OSC 2016), photograph: Nim Bhharathhan (OSC 2017)

2019 Reporter Collection After being significantly delayed due to COVID-19, in August the Class of 2019 returned to reconnect with their cohort and former teachers, collect their 2019 Reporters, watch House Marching and take a tour of the new Mathematics and Commerce Building.

OSCs watching House Marching

Charlie Thomas (OSC 2019), Sam Johnston (OSC 2019) and Conor Bartlett (OSC 2019)

Class of 2019

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Class of 1969 Fifty Year Reunion Fifty years after graduating from Scotch College, almost 50 members of the Class of 1969 returned to celebrate their reunion. Attendees travelled from all over Western Australia, as well as interstate and Singapore. The day began with a tour of the College, followed by a lunch at the Claremont Yacht Club. Special thanks to John ‘Sam’ Davis (OSC 1969), Peter Fry (OSC 1969), Greg Reudavey (OSC 1969), Max Hore (OSC 1969) and Gordon McNeil (OSC 1969) for their tireless work in organising the reunion and rounding up attendees.

Peter Deetman, Ian Cullen and Colin Veale

Guest speaker Rod Broadhurst

Peter Johnston, Keith Camac, Bradley Sounness and Andrew McCormack

John ‘Sam’ Davis, Gordon McNeill, Greg Reudavey, Max Hore and Peter Fry

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Patrick Ng, Raymond Sia and Peter Johnston

Wine Tasting After selling out in less than a week, there was no doubt that this year’s Wine Tasting event was highly anticipated.

Featuring David Watson (OSC 1961) and Woodlands Wines, the event held up to its promise. Each of the eight wines was expertly matched by chef Scott Alfonso and the Scotch College catering team. It was incredible to see regular attendees (shout out to the OSC Goland Oars!) as well as new faces. Special thanks as always to Geoff Morgan (OSC 1967) and Alan Morgan (OSC 1966), and Steve Perry and the team at Swanbourne Cellars.

David Watson (OSC 1961) at Woodlands Wines

Tom Wallace (OSC 2009), John Flecker (OSC 1984), Robert Eliott-Lockhart (OSC 1985) and Tom Vinnicombe (OSC 1984)

Michael Silbert (OSC 1979), Michael Fitch (OSC 1979), Bob Grieve (OSC 1963), Ross Campbell (OSC 1963) and David Hendry (OSC 1974)

Career Focus Breakfasts Old Scotch Collegians and Scotch College jointly run an annual breakfast series that connects Year 12 students with alumni in a range of careers and industries. For the OSCs, this is one of most significant ways they support current students. In 2020, the breakfast was delayed due to COVID-19.

Despite the delay, the series was a success and it was fantastic to welcome back Old Boys from law, commerce, engineering and medicine, who took time out of their schedules to chat with students in a relaxed, informal setting. Speakers included tertiary students, young professionals and established alumni, who answered questions and offered advice.

John Cordin (OSC 2000) (front), Tom Wallace (OSC 2009) (back left) and Andrew Johnston (OSC 2000) (back right) with Year 12 students at the Commerce Career Focus Breakfast

old scotch collegians | 49

OSCs: What have they been up to?

Ian Warner (OSC 1954) After graduating from Scotch College, I graduated from Law at the University of Western Australia in 1960, did my articles with Jackson McDonald and was admitted to the WA Bar in 1961. I worked as a junior solicitor under the tutelage of Gregory Clarkson QC and George Wright, gaining a wide litigation experience. On the elevation of George Wright to the Supreme Court in 1975, I became a senior partner of Jackson McDonald, a position I held until 1991.

I served in the Army Reserve as a GS04 Intelligence Officer, a nod to my family’s proud military tradition. In later years I was in the Army Legal Corps and participated variously as Judge Advocate or Defence Counsel.

The West Australian to the Great Southern Herald in Katanning in 1964, I met local girl, Anne Baldwin. We have been married for 54 years. Our son Stuart (OSC 1985) now lives in Spain with his partner Noelia and son David Junior. Stuart has lived there for many years, teaching English as a second language and providing social media commentary on aspects of life in Spain. Our younger daughters Kate and Julie both went to PLC. The Spanish connection has been a good reason for Anne and me to regularly visit that country and other European destinations, though travel has unfortunately been curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic. I enjoy catching up with many old schoolmates at an annual lunch at the Ocean Beach Hotel each November and the OSC Seniors’ Lunch, likewise, is also enjoyed each year.

While practising as a lawyer, I became increasingly involved with public companies.

I served on the boards of H.L. Brisbane and Wunderlich Ltd (later Bristile Ltd) and Perpetual Trustees (WA) Ltd, and later became a Director of Perpetual Australia Ltd. I was appointed as a member of the Energy Implementation Group, which superintended the split of the SEC of Western Australia into the corporatised Alinta Gas Ltd and Western Power. I was later appointed one of the initial board directors of Western Power Corporation and was also on the board of management of Royal Perth Hospital from 1977–84, including serving as Vice Chairman from 1979–84.

Michael Smith (OSC 1970)

In 1998, I completed a Master of Laws degree at the University of Western Australia.

I served on the board of Australia Post, and was the Deputy Chairman for Amcom Telecommunications for 21 years until its merger with Vocus Communications Limited in 2015.

Best of all, I am married to Robyn and lucky to be a dad of three great young people distributed across Perth, Melbourne and Sydney. Our son, Sam, was at Scotch and has just completed his PhD in Naval Architecture.

David Warren (OSC 1960) After a 42-year career with West Australian Newspapers, firstly as a journalist on The West Australian, then in editorial management and finally as the general manager of 18 regional newpapers, I ventured into book writing and editing, and lecturing and tutoring Journalism students at Edith Cowan University. In the meantime my brother, Brigadier (retired) Duncan (OSC 1963) ‘volunteered’ me as editor of Tobruk to Borneo, the journal of the 2/28th Battalion and 24th Anti-Tank Company Association.

Our father Roy was an original member of the World War II Battalion, which fought at Tobruk, El Alamein, New Guinea and Borneo. This editorial task continues. On secondment from

50 | old scotch collegians

A past boarder, I have always kept close to Scotch. I have always lived no more than 10 minutes from the school, but beyond that, life has been broad.

Most of my work has been in Melbourne, where we also have a home.

There I currently chair 7-Eleven and Starbucks. I have been lucky enough to chair some great organisations including Scotch, Perth Festival and the West Coast Eagles.

I am a keen cyclist (mostly mountain biking) and have joined the newly formed board of AusCycling.

I made many friends at Scotch and a lot of those endure today. It reinforces what matters: health, friends and family.

Perhaps the living evidence is the rolling eyes of my wife as I drag my bloody body home after bashing through bush trails with my mates.

Life is good, and I hope it is for all of us.

Neil Randall (OSC 1970) I own Paddington Fines Wines, next door to the Paddington Ale House, which our family was lessee for 30 years.

I am also a partner with my son Ben (OSC 2001) at The Sandbar on Scarborough Beach, which looks forward to hosting our Fifty Year Reunion of the successful Alcock and Darlot sides in 1970.

This is due to take place on Saturday 21 November and we will be welcoming our coaches, Ian Shortland-Jones and Ian Saggers, and captain of both sides, Tony Bovell.

This year also signifies 50 years of uninterrupted representation in the WAFL. From the time I was signed by Subiaco in 1970 (transferring from Mount Barker) to the present, where I am currently a West Australian Football Commissioner.

I have also been on the Australian Hotels Association WA (AHAWA) board for 25 years, and President for the last 16 years, a National Director of AHA for 20 years and a Director of Hostplus since 2008.

I have had a good life and I attribute that to my days at Scotch. I have been well supported by a great family, my wife Lee-Anne (40 years) and three sons – Sam, Ben and Jon, all of whom attended Scotch College.

Paul Scott-Murphy (OSC 1990) I completed Science and Engineering degrees at the University of Western Australia, then worked across Europe, Asia and the United States before moving to Boston (then back to Sydney) in 1998 after hosting a farewell party where I met Larissa Kelloway, with whom I have enjoyed a wonderful marriage for 20 years now, bringing up two sons. William is studying Music Composition at CalArts in Los Angeles, Zachary is finishing high school this year in San Francisco, and Larissa is completing her PhD and teaching when time permits between her acting roles in the US. I work on the executive team for a publicly listed software company with headquarters in California and the United Kingdom. We have been enjoying the Bay Area life for four years, living in Berkeley, but still keep our other home in Sydney where the boys first grew up.

Guy Peterson (OSC 2000) Since leaving Scotch in 2000, I studied Law and Science at the University of Western Australia and have worked as a litigation lawyer at K&L Gates since 2009. This role took me to Melbourne in 2016 where I met my fiancé, who I will hopefully marry in October (subject to COVID-19).

The last couple of years have been busy!

I married my beautiful wife Jess, moved to the Swan Valley for some space to run horses (and other members of our menagerie), welcomed our firstborn Edison George Palmer, and left Chevron and the world of oil and gas to run a mining technology company Rig Technologies. Keep an eye out for us, as well as a space mining company soon to be launched.

After leaving Scotch in 1990 to return to South Africa, I finished my education in Johannesburg before commencing my studies in Accountancy. Whilst at university I joined the yacht club and began sailing yachts on the Vaal Dam.

In 1997 I headed to the United Kingdom to pursue my dream of working in the sailing industry. In the winter of 1998 and 1999 I completed my professional sailing qualifications at the UK Sailing Academy in Cowes, spending five months battling winter storms in the English Channel, with numerous trips to France, Netherlands and the south coast of England.

In 1999 I obtained a job working for Sunsail as a flotilla skipper in the Ionian Islands in Greece – leading a flotilla of 12 yachts around the islands on two week cruising holidays, a truly amazing experience and where I met a Welsh girl called Alison – who also loved sailing!

I returned to the UK in 2000 and in 2001 started a career in accountancy, married Alison in 2003, and in 2006 our daughter Olivia was born, followed by Jack in 2007.

These days we are settled in Wells, Somerset with a border collie called Swift and have been cruising the North and South Ionian of Greece for the past five years teaching our kids the wonderful life of sailing!

Since leaving Scotch, I completed a Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Science degree at Murdoch University before moving into the workforce. I currently work at Rio Tinto on control systems and automation. I have traveled around the world extensively and visited 87 countries and all seven continents, including Antarctica.

I am currently based in Perth.

Darren Palmer (OSC 2000)

Anthony Sudbury (OSC 1990)

In 1996 I joined the HM Bark Endeavour (from Perth) as voyage crew, on her world voyage, joining the ship in Port Elizabeth and sailing the South African coast for a week before arriving in Cape Town on Boxing Day – a truly memorable experience!

Christopher O’Connor (OSC 2000)

Ben Swan (OSC 2000) I returned to Perth in 2018 after seven years in London where I met my wife and had a daughter. Professionally I spent the majority of my time in the United Kingdom working in global brand management at Unilever and also completed a postgrad at Cambridge University’s Institute for Sustainability Leadership.

After arriving back in Perth, I recognised the growing need for businesses to meet the changing expectations of their social and environmental impacts. To answer this need, I founded Futureproof Consulting to help make sustainability simple. Futureproof focuses on corporate sustainability strategy and reporting to make businesses more attractive to investors and lenders, attract better talent and create competitive advantage.

Now happily settled back in Perth with my wife Indi and two happy kids, I am steadily working my way through the numerous incredible wineries of the South West.

Harley Mitaros (OSC 2010) After studying a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Western Australia, I embarked on a work placement at Major League Soccer in New York City.

Returning to Australia, I commenced fulltime work developing Perth Glory’s social media marketing strategy. In 2014 I began Undergrnd Marketing with a partner, a boutique digital marketing agency, before venturing out on my own and establishing my own agency Pryzm in 2015.

I quickly managed to specialise in sports, with Perth Glory becoming my key central client – leading me to manage the club’s full marketing mix through one A-League Grand Final and club friendlies against English giants Chelsea and Manchester United. It has been exciting; attending press conferences with famous ex-footballers Alessandro del Piero, Mauricio Sarri, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Tim Cahill.

My career highlight so far has been devising and executing the #FillThePark campaign that drew Glory’s record regular season attendance of 17,856 to HBF Park against Melbourne Victory in March 2019.

COVID-19 has been extremely tough on the business, but we have hung in there and we have started rebuilding again. I am positive about the future and looking forward to our Class of 2010 Ten Year Reunion being rescheduled in the near future.

76 Shenton Road Swanbourne WA 6010 +61 8 9383 6800 mail@scotch.wa.edu.au www.scotch.wa.edu.au CRICOS PROVIDER CODE: 00449M