It has been a remarkable term, with the very best of our school on display across the past months. From musicals to signature learning events, from sporting premierships to student-led conferences, from busy classrooms to the quiet of a tent in the bush Term 3 has had it all.
Student Leaders for 2024
It has been a privilege to be involved in the selection of our Year 12 student leaders for 2024. Announce at assembly today, our congratulations go to:
College Co Captains:
- Poppy Scholz and Hugh Redden
Vice Captains:
- Zoe Manton and Tom Slee
SAT Leaders:
- Community Partnerships: Lily Pascoe
- Global: Emma Venus
- Student Wellbeing: Aria Bradley
- Sustainability and Environment: Grace Cawley
House Captains:
- Cameron: Alyssa Casey and Henry Twelftree
- Campbell: Alice Dolling and Rory Falzon
- Douglas: Maya McRitchie and Oscar Nugent
- Gordon: Eva Nairn and Max Becker
- McGregor: Olivia Edwards and Louie Barrington-Case
- Stewart: Lucy Seppelt and Oscar Kittel
Performing Arts (Dance and Drama): Charlotte Triglau
Performing Arts (Music): Zara Windle
Boarding Captains: Regan Hall and Archie Burraston
International Students: Wisteria Chan and Susie Brink
Sport Captains: Grace Stevens and Reuben Hill
Media Captain: Sophie Sorensen
Staffing Updates
Term 3 is that time in a school calendar when we begin planning for next year. Schools across the country are confirming enrolments, finalising their staffing needs, and it is at this time that teachers make their plans for the following school year. In past weeks I have confirmed some key appointments, and shared those with our community through ScotchLife, and am looking forward to the impact that they will have.
- Emma Grave will transition into the role of Deputy Principal of the College from 2024. With a day-to-day focus on our Torrens Park Campus, she will be take on this key leadership role across ELC to Year 12.
- Mark Goreham will move to Head of Teaching and Learning, leading our academic programs. He will replace Teresa Hanel, who has served and guided the College as Deputy Principal.
- Craig McFarlane will join us as Head of Middle School. Currently at Pulteney Grammar and a past Scotch parent, he will bring experience and expertise as a specialist middle-years leader to the school.
In addition, over the past Term, we have farewelled a number of staff. Mark Heard, who has managed our school canteen over many years and is a visible fixture behind the coffee machine on the deck of the Pavilion at Saturday sport has retired this term. Cher Little, who many know through her work in our Community and Events team, has also left this term to take up a senior role in the fitness industry. Joel Haslett, from our Grounds and Maintenance Team, has left to take a role closer to home. We wish them all well for their next steps beyond Scotch.
Media Coverage
In the past weeks we have watched an issue within the school play out in the Adelaide media, generating commentary and debate in many quarters.
It is always disappointing when matters involving young people are promoted for consumption in the public domain. As a College we did not comment or engage in discussion about matters involving students, despite our concerns regarding the reporting and the marketing it spawned. Our conversations and correspondence with individual students and with their families are always held in good faith, as a school we will not share them for dissection by newspapers.
It was, however, comforting to note the recognition of so many in our community of the role that schools play in setting and reinforcing boundaries for our children. That is as much our job as mathematics or Macbeth and we are conscious that, in all that we do, helping young people evaluate and process risk is a key part of growing up. Our challenge, as schools and as families, is to equip our children with the tools to make good decisions when we aren’t around, and it is one that we take on every day.
Interim Student Reports
Please note that the Term 3 Interim student reports are now available from SEQTA Engage. The NAPLAN results for students in Years 3, 5, 7 & 9 are also available.
Summer Uniform
As we transition into the summer terms, please check uniform for appropriate size and wearability over the term break. A reminder that we have shorts for all students available and when students have PE or are arriving at school in PE kit they should wear Scotch sports socks not the grey school sock or any other type of sock. It is a fair expectation that students leave home dressed appropriately for the school day and not wait for comment on their appearance by a teacher before they do something about it.
Attendance at Key events for Term 4
Year 12 Parents are invited to attend the Year 12 Final Day on Friday 27 October, commencing at 8.30am. Please note that there is a maximum of 2 adults per student unless discussed with Mr Ritson, due to capacity constraints.
All Year 11 students are to attend the Class of 2024 and Leaders Induction Ceremony to be held on Monday 20 November at 5.45pm. Parents are invited to attend this special assembly.
Our Boarders’ High Tea is being held on Thursday 7 December from 5.30pm.
Speech Day for both Middle and Senior School students will be held on Friday 8 December from 10.30am-12.30pm and students are to be dressed in formal uniform.
The Year Graduation Dinner will be held on Friday 8 December from 6.45pm at the Adelaide Convention Centre and further information about this event will be communicated to parents in Term 4.
If you are ever unsure about when your child is required at school for an event or when parents are invited to come along, please contact their school section secretary, Senior School (Years 10-12) and Middle School (Years 7-9).
Parents and Friends AGM – November
The Parents and Friends AGM is to be held on Tuesday 21 November at 7.00pm. All members of the Scotch community are invited to attend, and we welcome new members for 2024. The Parents and Friends do a tremendous job, and this is a great way to make contributions to the life of our community.
MMG Parent Satisfaction Survey
Over the past week we have sent all parents an invitation to complete a Satisfaction Survey run by MMG Education.
This is an important piece for us as a school. While it was tremendous to speak with so many parents at the start of the year around your perceptions of the College, our ability to understand how you see the diverse and specific parts of College life is essential for us to be able to shape mould the College’s operations on a day-to-day basis.
Taking the time to complete it is important for us – telling us how you feel means we can make a difference. I ask that all families take the time to help us better understand your perceptions of the College.
Taking a breath
I hope that the change in routine in coming weeks refreshes and refocuses everyone for the start of the final term for the year. While some are on school trips and tours, and other in pre-season sports training, I wish our senior students well as they use the down time to prepare for the SACE assessment and examinations next Term.
I look forward to connecting with in so many ways across Term 4.
Trent Driver
Principal
