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

From the Head of Middle School

First of all, congratulations to the Year 6 boys who completed their Surf Camp at Lancelin over the last 2 weeks, particularly to the boys of 6.4 who toughed out the rain, hail, wind and huge surf at the end of last week.  Each year Surf Camp throws up stories that will get retold at reunions for years to come.  This year's Surf Camp was no exception.

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The Year 7 Sailing programme is getting close to finishing and this has run in a range of conditions as well.  When Sailing finishes the Year 8 Snorkelling Programme commences. It is a big Outdoor Education finish to the term.

With 5 weeks of school left for the year the following quote, often attributed to Michael Phelps underscores my message to the students this week: 'it's not how you start, but how your finish that counts'.  The point being, it is often the last part of a race, an event, a meeting, a lesson that is remembered.  I am asking the boys that regardless of how the year has gone, to make the last 5 weeks the ones they want to be remembered by.

As we push into the final phase of the year the following is background and some details for two significant Middle School events; IB Learner Profile Awards Assembly in Week 8 and Middle School Speech Night in Week 9.

IB Learner Profile Awards Assembly Week 8

In Week 8, Friday 6 December we celebrate another completed academic year with our Awards Assembly.  This final Assembly for the year is different from our Speech Night and very different from the Academic Excellence awards presented at Senior School Speech Night.

This event recognises a number of students in each grade against the IB Learner Profile attributes.  We see these Learner Profile attributes as the vital, transferable skills or attitudes that underpin a strong foundation for personal success in Senior School.  These are the attributes that lie at the heart of what we do in Middle School.  At the Awards Assembly we also recognise a boy in each year for his citizenship qualities with the Mo Maslin Citizenship Award.  Mo Maslin was a former Middle School student who typified the welcoming, collaborating, encouraging, compassionate and caring approach to life we would hope a Scotch College education develops.

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Middle School Speech Night Week 9

Middle School Speech Night is a Year 8 event.  It is the culmination of the transition process that lies at the heart of Middle School.  The sending off of the boys into their Senior School Houses is a fitting finale to the evening.  Families of boys in Year 8 are our special guests for the evening.  Brother, sisters, grandparents and other family members are all welcome.  Middle School Speech Night is Tuesday 10 December commencing at 6:30pm in the Dickinson Centre.