The Thistle - An E-Newsletter of Scotch College, Perth, Western Australia

From the Deputy Head of Junior School

Rite of Passage

As we start off the 2018 school year, I am reminded about the rites of passage relating to many different areas of school life. It could be Junior School staff at the end of the day seeing all of last years Year 5 boys heading home donning their new Middle School yellow tie, or the Junior School boys waving over to their last years teacher knowing they have moved on, but still wanting to remain in contact.

For the 2018 Year 5 boys, it is the small things - being able to sit on the raked seating in MacKellar Hall during the first welcome back assembly with Mr Stewart, having the top floor of the Junior School to themselves, being responsible for all of the playground equipment and putting up the school flags every day. These may seem small but to the boys it is a big deal - being part of the leadership team and being the older boys in the Junior School.

Congratulations goes to all of the Year 5 boys for nominating and speaking to the school community at the end of last year about what they would offer to the leadership team. It takes a great deal of courage and is one of the more challenging moments in the rite of passage to become a leader. Whilst some Year 5 boys missed out this Semester, I look forward to seeing them rise to the challenge in Semester 2. I wish the leadership team across the whole student body, not just the Junior School, the very best in their leadership journey for 2018.

Miss Penny Hooper
Deputy Head of Junior School
(Administration and Pastoral Care)