In this issue

Ms Amanda Hall | Head of Junior School

A special guest in Year 1

On Monday, following the College’s Dawn Service, our Year 1 class members were delighted to welcome a very special guest to their classroom, Mr Alec Peden.  Mr Peden is a past student of the College – he attended from 1941 through to 1948 and joined the Year 1 class to share some of his experiences about his time at school.  This was a timely visit, as the students will soon be learning about the history of the College and observe how it has changed over time.

Mr Peden spoke about the subjects he learned (his favourite was Geography) and some of the teachers who were here during that period.  Mr Peden spoke fondly of Mr Ray Teske – his Junior School teacher and the Principal, Mr Dunning.  He also recalled how the College had been evacuated during WW2 and was turned into a hospital base for the Australian Army.  During this time, all the students were relocated to makeshift schools – the Juniors at Kingswood Homestead,  and the Seniors at North Toolburra Homestead.  Mr Peden explained that when he was in Junior School at Kingswood, he didn’t have to wear his school uniform every day – only on special occasions or when they went into town.

Mr Peden loved running and held some special records during his time here.  His running shoes are on display in our Archive Centre, so the students will be able to see them when they take a walk around the College for their History lesson.  He said that his days at Scots were some of the best times of his life and shaped who was as a person today.  Mr Peden and his wife, Mary, often come back to the College for special occasions (like ANZAC Day).  He loves talking to students and being part of the school.

The students had the opportunity to ask questions… perhaps the most pertinent question of the day was from Richard, who asked “What did you look like at school?” Mr Peden was quick to explain that his hair was a different colour from what it is today.

It was wonderful to hear everything that Mr Peden had to share.  At the end of the session, Cormac presented Mr Peden with his very own Honour Badge to wear with pride alongside all of his other special SCOTS badges.

 

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Ms Amy Woodgate | Director of Girls’ Boarding and Head of Middle School

Re-developing the Betty Crombie Middle School

If you were able to make it to last week’s Masterplan Launch, you would no doubt be aware of the exciting plans in store for our Middle School Precinct.  We’ve recently shared our plan to redevelop this area of our College to ensure we continue to meet the needs of our future learners.

Building plans and concepts were unveiled and these plans included the establishment of new ‘learning pods’ that encompass both general learning and specialist learning areas, as well as covered outdoor learning areas.  The new spaces will connect the indoors with the outdoors, and maintain plenty of ‘green space’ while still preserving who we are as a College.

The learning pods are designed to be flexible – the areas can host different year levels and different subject areas.  Connectivity between learning spaces is also a feature of the design.  Teachers will have the capacity to utilise both indoor and outdoor learning spaces.

Specialist areas have been incorporated to house subjects such as Visual Art, Music and Drama, Science, Agriculture and STEM and will include both indoor and outdoor spaces, as well as wet areas and storage.  We know that learning can sometimes mean ‘messy’, so we’ve allowed for that in the design too.

All spaces will have integrated technology to support learning as well as use a combination of fixed walls and flexible design options that can be intentionally used by students and staff to support the learning experience.  Withdrawal spaces and access to outdoor verandas and learning areas are also key aspects of the design.

 

 

 

 

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Goal setting for Middle School students

Ms Melissa Stephenson | Head of Years 7 and 8

Goal setting is an important part of success in any area of life. Whether you’re looking to achieve personal or professional objectives, taking the time to identify your goals and create a plan to achieve them, can help you stay on track and reach your desired destination.

This term in our Year 7 SCOTS Achieve and Year 8 SCOTS Engage lessons, we will be discussing the importance of goal setting and offering some goal setting activities for students to complete. Setting goals is an essential part of growth and development, as it helps students stay focused and motivated. It can help students develop problem-solving skills, build self-confidence, and stay motivated to reach their goals. Some of the skills and strategies students will be learning about and implementing include:

• Identifying and setting SMART goals. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. For example, “I will study for two hours each day and get at least a B on my next math test.”
• Breaking down big goals into smaller, more manageable goals. For example, if you want to get an A in all your classes, consider breaking this goal down into smaller, more achievable goals such as “I will complete all my homework assignments on time.”
• Ensuring the goals are relevant and meaningful to the individual. If a goal feels like a chore and doesn’t really motivate you, it’s likely not the right one for you.
• Celebrating small successes. Achieving a goal can be hard work, and it’s important to reward yourself for any small successes along the way.
• Writing down goals and reviewing them regularly. This will help maintain focus and motivation.
• Get an accountability partner. It can be helpful to find someone who can help you stay on track with your goals.
• Be flexible. Life can be unpredictable and it’s important to be able to adjust your goals when necessary.

Please encourage your children to share their goals with you and to reflect, review and celebrate the successes they achieve throughout the term.

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Mr Richard Dobrenov | Deputy Principal & Head of Senior School

The Importance of Observing ANZAC Day in Schools

Both Monday’s and yesterday’s ANZAC Day ceremonies commemorate the day when the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) landed on the shores of Gallipoli in 1915, during World War I. The bravery, sacrifice, ingenuity, and camaraderie displayed by ANZAC soldiers have made ANZAC Day a significant and emotional day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand.

But why should schools celebrate ANZAC Day?

In honouring the sacrifice of the ANZAC soldiers; ANZAC Day is an opportunity to pay tribute to the courage, sacrifice, and selflessness of the ANZAC soldiers who fought and died in the service of their country. It is a time to remember the sacrifices they made and the impact they had on shaping the national identity of Australia and New Zealand. Like SCOTS PGC who honour the ‘Magnificent 42’, many established schools honour their fallen during their own ANZAC services during the days leading up to April 25. Sadly, 252 Brisbane Grammar School boys have made the ultimate sacrifice since the Boer War in 1899; 189 Toowoomba Grammar School boys since the Boer War and The Southport School has lost 132 students since 1915. These same boys walked and played on the very grounds that current students find themselves attending school, and it is imperative that their legacy is both honoured and remembered.

Secondly, celebrating ANZAC Day provides an opportunity for schools to foster a sense of national identity and unity. Through commemoration and reflection, students develop an understanding of the values that underpin Australian and New Zealand society, such as courage, mateship, and sacrifice. By participating in ceremonies and services like our College’s service and the town service, students feel a sense of connection to their schools, communities, and their country’s history. Alan Seymour’s 1958 play The One Day of the Year contextualises 1950’s Australia during a rebuilding phase in the aftermath of World War Two, highlighting the increasing rejection of traditional values and the emergence of the ‘generation gap.’ This newly emerging educated youth, began to question established ways of life and the need to honour days such as ANZAC Day but both Monday’s and Tuesday’s events showed that the need to honour the past is still prevalent in today’s youth.

It is evident that ANZAC Day provides a valuable opportunity for schools to teach students about the history and sacrifice of ANZAC soldiers, to foster a sense of national identity and unity, and to honour and acknowledge the contributions of current and past service personnel. By celebrating ANZAC Day, schools help students to understand the significance of the day and the importance of remembering those who have served in our armed forces.

Lest we Forget

 

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Mr Tom Bradbury | Director of Co-Curricular Activities

Term 2 Sign up for Activities – Years 1-6 and Years 7-12

Our Term 2 Activities Registrations have closed and we have had a significant response. Unfortunately, we currently have excess subscriptions to activities so we have had to restrict attendance. Notifications have been sent to the successful and unsuccessful applicants with a waiting list in place for those unsuccessful.

If your child has been successful, please ensure they can attend the majority of their sessions. Should they not wish to attend anymore please advise so that the opportunity may be given to other students.

Most activities will commence in Week 2 but the Arranmore Netball will commence in Week 3.

Sounds from the STEM Club

Ms Lynne Nadebaum | STEM Club Teacher

Throughout Term 1, the SCOTS PGC STEM Club were busy exploring sound and musical instruments. Students began with pipes (in the key of D) made from irrigation PVC piping and then graduated to investigate an instrument of their own choosing.

While the piano, harp, xylophone, tubular bells and windchimes were still under construction at the time of photography, we can confirm that the instruments shown in the photos (the tuneable drum and the cow horn) are functional and produce the intended sounds.

From Term 2, Mr Laing will be taking the STEM Club reins while I take a break to do some travelling.

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Ms Amy Woodgate | Director of Girls’ Boarding and Head of Middle School  & Mr David Marriott | Director of Boys’ Boarding

We have had a busy start to the term in boarding already.  Our boarders returned to their respective houses last week after a well deserved break and have settled in well to the routines of the new term, including wearing Winter uniform.  The girl boarders, in particular, were quite excited to return to Locke St this term and see the new kitchenette that has been installed which will allow them to do their own baking and cooking.

We have had a number of boarding activities already.  On Saturday night, boy and girl boarders joined together to attend a screening at Warwick Cinemas.  All boarders then did an outstanding job of representing the College and paying respect to all who have served at both our College Dawn Service and the Warwick Town March and Service.

On Friday 28 April, all boarders who are in-house will be taking part in our major excursion for the term, a trip to Brisbane to watch the Broncos vs Rabbitohs NRL game.  It is expected to be a big crowd at Suncorp Stadium on the night and be a wonderful experience for our boarders, including for some who may never have been to a live match with a crowd that size before.

Our next Adopt-A-Boarder weekend is approaching at the end of Week 4 (12-14 May).  All boarders are encouraged to make connections with day families or even take the opportunity to travel home with family and friends that weekend.

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Emma Bradbury | Publications Prefect

ANZAC Day is a day of national significance and remembrance. It is a time to reflect on the bravery and sacrifice of the ANZAC soldiers who fought in Gallipoli and all other wars and conflicts. It is also a time to honour the current and former servicemen and women who have served their country with distinction.

As a Year 12 student and Prefect, I, along with my peers, know that this is a day that is truly revered on the SCOTS PGC calendar.  Our Dawn Service is an event that I believe is unrivalled by any other school in the district.  It’s a day that we pay homage to our ‘Magnificent 42’ – a special group of Scots boys who enlisted and fought in WW2.  Tragically, they didn’t come home, so we have pledged to honour their memory for as long as our College exists.

In addition to our College Service, which is always the day before ANZAC Day, we are also involved in other services too.  It is a proud moment for us all when we gather at the top end of Palmerin Street to march down to the Town Cenotaph.  We are always in the company of our Pipes and Drums Band, who brings a real sense of occasion to the day as well.  The organisers of these events do a great job of allowing students to help facilitate the services.  I think it is great to be able to provide a youth perspective to these events – it shows just how much we care and how much respect we have for the people that sacrificed their lives for ours.

This year, our College Captain, Bridget Hardy, addressed guests at the Eden Gardens ceremony on ANZAC Day.  Here is her speech as it was delivered on the day:

Fathers, sons and brothers, together they fought and died
That we may live in peace together, while at home their mothers cried.
When that final bugle calls them to cross that great divide
Those comrades will be waiting when they reach the other side.

My name is Bridget Hardy, and I am a Year 12 student at SCOTS PGC College. I am honoured to be speaking before you all today to commemorate this important day in which we remember those who have served and those who have been laid to rest.

On this day, we are prompted to reflect about what ANZAC Day means to us as individuals. For me, three words come to mind: sacrifice, privilege, and honour. During war, sacrifice is not only inevitable, but it is inescapable. The ultimate sacrifice that the Australian and New Zealand men and women made was indescribable, but it gave us the privilege of freedom, and ultimately, the honour of being an Australian and having the opportunity to live in this beautiful country.

This day is memorialised in recognition of the ANZACs landing at the remorseless depths of Gallipoli on April 25^th, 1915. Faced with intolerable conditions and an enemy bombardment upon their arrival at the shores of Gallipoli, more than 8000 ANZACs lost their lives, and the campaign was a failure.

Despite these adversities and hardships, it was amongst the loss and destruction that the true ANZAC spirit was born. The resilience, sacrifice, and bravery shown by these soldiers during WWI has been immortalized through their actions, becoming a symbol of their indomitable spirit, and allowing us to look back on, more than a century later and draw inspiration from. This is what I reflect on, and what I am most proud of when I think of the ANZACs; sacrifice, privilege, and honour.

It is on this day that I remember the Australian and New Zealand men and women who have served, continue to serve, and those who have lost their lives. Amongst these, I remember the Indigenous Australian soldiers, as well as the animals who lost their lives in battle.

Because of their bravery, we are surrounded by an abundance of opportunities, freedom, and security. Despite this being a commonly overlooked privilege, it is a result of the sacrifices made by those who fought for our land all those years ago.

I am also surrounded by mementos, archives, and relics every day at school. During WWII, Scots College was used as an Army Hospital, such that Australian, New Zealand, and United States soldiers were transported to and cared for. During this time, the Junior and Senior boys’ schools were relocated to local properties in the region. There was also a number of Scots boys and staff who served in the RAAF, army, and navy, as well as PGC girls who served as nurses or in the Women’s Land Army. Every year on ANZAC Day, we remember the ‘Magnificent 42’: the men on our honour roll who attended our school and lost their lives during WWII. Being surrounded by this piece of remarkable history every day is a reminder of the bravery and sacrifices made by those in our community.

Whilst I can try, I cannot fully understand the horrors of war: the gruesome sights of bloodshed, the sorrow felt through loss in comradery, as well as the heartbreak endured by loved ones at home. However, as a young person, I am honoured to be brought up in a community that commemorates the sacrifices made by the ANZACs, as well as recognising the time served by those who followed them.

War is often cruel and unjust, and unfortunately, conflict still exists in the world around us. So, on this day, remember those who have served, and those who continue to serve so that we can live in peace. Use today to commemorate their bravery and honour their legacy, and be uplifted by the patriotism of the ANZAC spirit, for it was their actions that make us proud to be Australian and New Zealand.

Lest we forget.

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Foundation Pie Drive

A big thank you to all those who supported the Foundation Pie Drive fundraiser.  A reminder that orders will be ready for collection Thursday 4 May 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm, or Friday morning 5 May.  Further collection details will be confirmed… Stay tuned!

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Mother’s Day Stall & Morning Tea

Details regarding the Mother’s Day Stall and Morning Tea hosted by our P & F will be circulated shortly.  Please note that the dates previously published are incorrect and should be as follows:

Mother’s Day Stall dates – Wednesday 10 May & Thursday 11 May

Mother’s Day Morning Tea – Friday 12 May

Please keep an eye out for more information to follow shortly.

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Intergenerational Worship

An invitation from the Uniting Church…

 

 

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