“Imagination Governs the World”.  This is a phrase that I had discussed with our leaders in the College this year and comes from the great French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.

Imagination has been in abundance at Scotch over 2020, and I am grateful in particular to all those unseen staff who have adapted, suggested, responded and improved the situations where we have had to flex to new circumstances. 

I think in particular of all those colleagues on both the Torrens Park and Mitcham Campuses who support us behind the scenes.  Many of these colleagues don’t attend events such as Speech Day and the End of Year Ceremonies. Therefore, we miss the chance to thank them in person for what they have done. But they have been integral to how we have managed a very complicated year.

An example of our imagination has been the way we have re-engineered the end of year events.  I trust you have enjoyed the various film clips on our website.  We have much to celebrate as a school and celebration should be our overwhelming emotion at the end of this academic year.  

Your children have been outstanding.  They have gamely adapted to new circumstances, changes of routine, cancellation or amendment of established and traditional events, and shown good grace and patience.  I trust that 2021 will see a different feel and mood.  There will not be a miraculous change, necessarily, to how the world or Scotch does business.  However, we are ready for whatever 2021 throws at us and we will ensure the school keeps moving forward and providing the high level of education that we are renowned for.  

Thank you once more to you as parents for all the supportive messages and warm words you have sent our way.  I trust you have a blessed time over Christmas with your children and your broader families.  We look forward very much to seeing you all again next year.

Dr John H Newton
Principal

Student Successes

• Brendan Dougan-Kittel (Yr 11 St) won the Irish Dancing State Championships and has qualified for the World Championships in Dublin in 2021.
• Jess Jackson (Year 11, Do) competing in the SA State Swimming Championships and won 4 silver and 1 bronze medal.
• Zoe Manton (Year 8, Go) competed in the U15 State Golf Championships.
• Meg Marker (Yr 10, Cn) won the A Grade Women’s title at the School Sport SA State Cycling Championship.
• Charlie Rowe (Yr 10, Go) and Tom Venus (Yr 10, Go) were selected to represent Scotch College in the forerunner at the Adelaide Film Festival launch.

Year 12 Results 2020

A summary of the academic results for the Class of 2020 is available to view and download here. Congratulations to our Year 12 students who performed very well.

Results at a glance for the 2020 cohort:

• 50 students with an ATAR of 90 or above
• 25 students achieved a score of 95 or above
• 4 students with a score over 99
• 30 Merits across 15 subjects, of these 7 were achieved by Year 11 students
• 100% SACE completion

This year our students have achieved outstanding SACE performances with 4 of the cohort achieving an ATAR over 99 out of a possible 99.95. We celebrate that 25% of the cohort achieved an ATAR of 95 or better, 45% of the cohort attained an ATAR of 90 or better and 70% of the cohort had an ATAR of 80 or better and it is wonderful to have so many of our students ranked in the top 20% of the country.

We would like to congratulate our Dux of the College for 2020, Lucy Knight, with 4 Merits in Chemistry Physics, Biology and Research Project and achieving an ATAR of 99.90. Lucy excelled this year in her stimulating and challenging mix of subjects. She was also the recipient of the Margery Cottle Memorial Prize for Outstanding All Round Contribution to the Life of the School in recognition of her years of personal growth and service during her 13-year Scotch journey.

2020 Scotch College Duces:

• Dux of Combined Studies – Emilie Rainbird
• Dux of Humanities – Zachary Horbelt
• Dux of Science – Lucy Knight

We would like to highlight and congratulate Ewan Wallace, Zachary Horbelt (Vice Captain) and Hugo Walter (College Co Captain) on their remarkable scores each achieving an ATAR over 99.
We also celebrate those students who have done it particularly tough this year. Your tenacity and strength of character have served you well. Our hearts pound with pride at your achievements.

Important Diary Dates to Begin 2021

Parent Tech Sessions: Would you like to learn more about using SEQTA? Are you still finding your way through the Family Portal or Operoo? Come along to one of our 45-minute quick tech sessions to hear an overview of all the Scotch tech platforms, and how to get the most out of them, plus some time for answering any questions you have. There will be 3 sessions on Wednesday 27 January at 10am, 2pm and 5pm. At 10am and 2pm the P&F will be on hand to share tea and coffee with parents. Register online here!

Welcome Back Morning Teas: Mitcham Campus and Torrens Park Campus parents are invited to attend our Welcome Back Morning Tea on both campuses on Thursday 28 January 2021 (first day of classes) at 8:30am – 9:45am. Mitcham Campus parents will gather near Kallawar Lawns and Torrens Park parents will gather near the Webb Science Courtyard.

Torrens Park Campus House Welcome: Friday 5 February, 6pm. Stay tuned for more details in the new year.

Departing Staff Members

My best wishes are extended to all staff leaving the College. I would like to make special mention of our long serving staff members, Ken Surridge, Steve Sparrow, Marty Coombe, Luke Ivens and Ginny Gerard. We thank them all for their loyal and dedicated service and wish them well for their future. 

One Table 2021: Tickets on Sale Now!

One Table is back again (tell a friend) for 2021, and this time we're bringing a whole new format to the table! Join us for the first ever Solitaire Automotive One Table twilight event on Saturday 13 March 2021! As always, you can expect amazing food and wine, tantalising live and silent auction items, music and dancing - all under the beautiful Adelaide night sky. Our new format for 2021 won't actually have tables like we have in the past, so when you are booking you do NOT need to nominate a table captain - but we will sell out, so get your friends to get in and book early!

Get in fast and capitalise on our early bird ticket offer - book online before the end of 2020 for just $145 per person. After 31 December, all tickets are $165 per person. Your ticket includes a plentiful bounty of delicious food, beer, wine, soft drinks and an entertaining evening on the magnificent Scotch College lawns.

Auction Item Donations

Thank you again to our past auction item donors for their incredible support of One Table. If you have items to donate for the One Table 2021 Silent or Live Auctions, please get in touch with the Development Office and Cher Little at clittle@scotch.sa.edu.au or call 8274 4317.

Important Dates for Term 1 2021