In this issue

Mr Kyle Thompson | Principal

Welcome back to all of our continuing SCOTS PGC families and a heartfelt welcome to our new family members as they join the SCOTS community. As is the case every year, our journey together will be unique, caring, and no doubt full of some surprises. One can’t help, as we look forward this year, to wonder what 2021 will bring. I start this year excited, hoping for some normality (whatever that is!) and looking with anticipation at what our achievements, lessons and learnings will be. Like every year, I’m sure we will have our successes and challenges, build on our relationships, and learn just as much outside the classroom as we do within our classes.

As I put metaphorical pen to paper, I wonder about the specifics of our yet to be discovered achievements, how we will maximise our experiences, and make the most of the many opportunities that are part of being at SCOTS PGC. Central to this will be the choices we make, and understanding how our choices and our reactions frame our character, our children’s character and makes us who we are.

Some choices that quickly come to mind are:

Asking for help is hard / not knowing is hard

Choose your hard

Studying, homework and revision is hard / not getting the results you want is hard

Choose your hard

Getting organised is hard / being disorganised is hard

Choose your hard

Over protecting those we care about is hard / developing tenacity is hard

Choose your hard

Accepting and working with others is hard / being isolated and working alone is hard

Choose your hard

Communicating is hard / not communicating is hard

Choose your hard

Doing the right thing is hard / doing the wrong this is hard

Choose your hard

In the words of my grandfather (and a long ago politician) life wasn’t and isn’t meant to be easy all the time. However, it’s often the ‘hard’ that teaches us, moulds us and allows us to enjoy success and happiness. Often the ‘hard’ is the learning that makes the easy. So we should never shy away from the challenges of a new year, a new learning, or something we don’t know. The results will be happiness, success, belonging and strong community. This is SCOTS PGC College.

Once again, welcome back everyone and I hope we all enjoy the mystery ride that is 2021. It’s coming ready or not.

There are a number of key events that are occurring over the coming weeks.  Here is an overview of what’s on in Week 2 (commencing Monday 1 February)

Monday 1 February

• Swimming Squad commences
• Year 7 Transition program continues

Tuesday 2 February

• Border District Summer Trials (Goondiwindi)
• Prep to Year 6 Information Evening | Assembly Hall | 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Wednesday 3 February

• 13-19 Years Swimming Carnival | WIRAC

Friday 5 February

• Allora Show | Cattle Club

Sunday 7 February

• Killarney Picnic lunch

Please refer to the College calendar for all other year level and co-curricular activities.

Our new Prep students have enjoyed their first week of meeting new friends, exploring their learning environment and settling into the routines of the Prep classroom under the kind and attentive guidance of Mrs Sharyn Bomford and teaching assistant, Mrs Mary Brown.

Our Preppies have devoured some delicious meals together, sung songs, built sandcastles, squished playdough, coloured, painted, pedalled, climbed, and laughed… a lot!

We are looking forward to welcoming our Preps back to Week 2 for another week of playful learning.

Mr Peter Wilson | Director of Co-curricular

A warm welcome back from the Co-Curricular desk. The year has started with a bang and we already find ourselves in a hive of activity with the events set to unfold over the short term.

We sent a communication prior to the commencement of school regarding some of the key activities and events taking place in the next few weeks.

Here is an outline to keep at the front of your minds

Summer Trials for Border District Sport | Tuesday 2 February 2021

The following sports will conduct trials on Tuesday 2 February in Goondiwindi and students with appropriate skills have been asked to nominate to Mr Bradbury at tom.bradbury@scotspgc.com.au immediately.

• U15 Touch Girls/Boys,
• Open Touch Girls/Boys,
• Open Tennis Girls/Boys,
• U15 Cricket Boys,
• Open Cricket Boys,

See Mr Bradbury for other Darling Downs Trials which require direct nominations as seen below.

• Tuesday 16 February – 12-15 Volleyball, 16-19 Volleyball, 10-19 Golf, 13-19 Softball
• Thursday 18 February – 13-19 Water Polo

Please keep an eye on your emails as we prepare to communicate about travel arrangements for these trials.

Cricket

Cricket recommences its season from tomorrow with the following game times:

Open Team – Briggs Oval.  Players are to arrive at 7:45am for an 8:00am start

Under 11 – Queens Park.  Players are to arrive at 7:45am for an 8:00am start.

Under 13 – Briggs and Dunning Ovals.  Players are to arrive at 11:45am for 12 noon start.

All new players are welcome.  Please email Mr Bradbury if you’re interested in joining a team.

College Swimming Carnivals

Senior Carnival | Wednesday 3 February 2021

Nominations for the 13 – 19 years’ age championship have been taken at Clan Meetings this week for the Senior Swimming Carnival which is set to take place next Wednesday at WIRAC.

Spectators are welcome to come along next week and support their children.  Further communication will be sent home regarding the day’s events.

JAM Carnival | Friday 12 February 2021

Junior and Middle School nominations for the JAM Swimming Carnival are to be emailed by parents to Mr Bradbury at tom.bradbury@scotspgc.com.au by 4 February 2021 for all participation events (25m Free, Back, Breast and Fly) and Championship events (50m Free, Back, Breast and Fly, Open 100m Free, Open 200m Medley).
This event applies to students turning 8 to 12 years in 2021.  Only 10-12 years’ students may nominate for the 100m Free and 200m Medley events.

Netball Players Wanted – Term 1

Girls wishing to play Netball for the College in 2021 from Years 7-12 are asked to email Mrs Wiid at hester.wiid@scotspgc.com.au your intention to play by Friday 29 January. There will be a Netball meeting at 1:00 pm on Monday 1 February in Mrs Wiid’s room (13A) in the Maths Centre. All Girls in Years 7-12 wanting to play for the school in 2021 should make every effort to get to this meeting.