In this issue

Mr Stewart Bailey | Head of Junior Boys’ Boarding

As I sit at my desk typing this weeks’ newsletter, I reflect upon a very busy and more importantly a very rewarding week in Boys’ Boarding; especially with many of my Year 6, 7 & 8’s involved in various sporting teams. Your sons never fail to amaze me with their abilities both on and off the sporting fields as well as making me laugh with their stories of life outside of the College.

The last couple of weeks has seen the Rugby Teams play both home and away games. They should be congratulated for their ongoing contributions to their chosen sport. The commitment your sons have made to the College and their team is a credit to them.

Not to be outdone, off the sporting field the boys have great delight along with a little banter, in letting me know of their achievements in the classroom. This is especially evident when it comes to their results for their completed assignments and the pride they feel from the effort they put into them.

These academic achievements and nightly banter always bring a smile to my face and to see the joy radiating from the boy’s faces due to their own personal achievement when they complete their assigned work is a wonder to behold.

It’s hard to believe that we are halfway through Term 2 and almost at the start of the winter season once again.  With that in mind, winter always reminds me of the annual Inter-Clan Sports Carnival.  I have fond memories of sports carnivals during my youth.

The excitement of the morning march and war cries as you head to the oval to sit within and support your Clan during the day.  The morning’s cool temperature and the need to try and keep warm until your scheduled event.  The comradery and spirit of competition that evolves during the day as the Clans fight for first position; in order to hold that coveted Winner’s Trophy.  As I recall with great fondness past Sporting Carnivals, it is with an air of excitement that we all look forward to the coming Inter Clan Sports Carnival in the last two weeks of term.

Rev Willie Liebenberg | Chaplain

Main Image: Sophie Ross and Matt Gorton (puppeteer) and Rev Willie

My role as Chaplain is always to bring a Gospel message to the students that is age-appropriate, fun and creative during Chapel.  I always feel that by using outside resources and working collaboratively with other ministry teams, our students at SCOTS PGC College will get the best.  Last week we had the privilege of hosting Quiz Works in Junior and Middle School Chapels.  Quiz Works shares the Good News of Jesus with kids ages 5 – 12 in creative, fun and engaging ways.  They perform live shows with puppetry, music, art and stories at schools, churches, Holidays Club’s etc., all over Australia.  The theme was “What is the way?” The children (and the staff) enjoyed the performance.  Our two performers were Matt Gorton (puppeteer) and Sophie Ross (presenter).

I always work towards adding value to our student’s lives.  With this fantastic performance, I believe that significant value has been added to every student.  Rev. Willie

Mr Richard Dobrenov | Deputy Principal and Head of Senior School

The acronym EVALI means electronic cigarette and vaping associated lung injury.  In the United States the current use of e-cigarette or vaping products has increased by 900% with middle and high school students. Like most trends in the US, it is only a matter of time until Australia catches on.  Who could ever forgive the pump up shoes, parachute pants and rap music?

Whilst there has been a reduction in the number of Australians smoking tobacco over the past 15 years; a new and equally sinister habit is on the rise with the advent of e-cigarettes.  With Australia experiencing over 20,000 preventable deaths each year due to smoking tobacco and at least 46 medical conditions requiring treatment and care, a 2019 report from the National Drug Research Institute (NDRI) at Curtin University detailed the tangible and intangible costs associated with smoking, which sit at $136.9 billion annually.  We know these figures because of the longitudinal studies which have been performed since medical reports linked smoking to the development of lung cancer in the 1920’s, later confirming this in the 1950’s and 1960’s.

What we are now seeing with e-cigarettes and vaping, is the misconception that it is a heathier way to smoke.  It is perceived as being safer, better tasting, more efficient and more discrete.  The nonsensical “cool factor” associated with the smoking of tobacco has now been transferred to vaping.  Unlike tobacco where there are strict guidelines about the contents of cigarettes, the pharmacologically active components of vaping products are not regulated, and the methods used to extract them and suspend them in the solution vary greatly.  Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine which is both highly addictive and harmful to adolescent brain development. Other substances delivered through e-cigarettes include tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.  Many electronic cigarette cartridges also contain other harmful ingredients like propylene glycol (a solvent to produce fog or smoke used in theatrical productions), polyester compounds, anti-freeze or vegetable glycerine.

Most patients with EVALI reported obtaining their products from informal sources such as friends, family or online. Recent product innovation has also contributed to the surreptitious vaping culture through the introduction of “pod mods,” including Juul which are often shaped like USB flash drives, making them easy to conceal.  The pod mods deliver nicotine in the form of nicotine salts, which allow high levels of nicotine to be inhaled more easily and with less irritation than the older style.

One of the likely long-term health effects of using e-cigarettes or other vaping products is a condition known as ‘popcorn lung,’ which causes airway scarring due to inflammation and eventually lung damage.  There is currently no cure for popcorn lung and it is considered life-threatening.  Popcorn lung’s name is derived from a chemical called diacetyl, which was once commonly used to give food products like popcorn their buttery flavour.  The condition was first identified among popcorn factory workers who inhaled the chemical in their workplaces.  The chemicals found in e-cigarette liquid known as “e-juice,” may be a potential cause of popcorn lung according to the American Lung Association.

So where to from here? 

Under the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Act 1998, electronic cigarettes cannot be sold to children under 18 years of age or used in existing non-smoking indoor and outdoor areas.  Electronic cigarettes which contain liquid nicotine are illegal in Queensland regardless of age.  Here at our College, because of the law and the health of our community members, smoking is against the rules and vaping, is viewed in exactly the same manner.

Mrs Christine Peterson

The SCOTS PGC Pipes and Drums has had a busy few months with various competitions starting with the SCOTS PGC competition in March where they competed for the first time in a couple of years.  This was a great start for the students who had not previously taken part in competition.  On the day the band did very well placing 2^nd in the Juvenile B and 3^rd in Grade 4B.  The students were looking forward to competing at the BBC competition however, due to the COVID outbreak that week it was decided that we would not take part as we were due to play at Maclean the following week.

The 117^th Maclean Gathering was a busy but enjoyable weekend for all those who attended.  This event is a highlight in the piping and drumming world with competitors from across New South Wales and Queensland attending each Easter Weekend.  On the Friday many of the students competed in the solo competitions with outstanding results. Easter Saturday is band day and this year SCOTS PGC won the Juvenile band, were placed 1^st in the Grade 4B and best dressed Grade 4 band.  They also placed 3^rd in the MSR (March, Strathspey and Reel).

Last weekend saw the band travel to Ipswich to take part in the Queensland Championships and again this was a new experience for many of the students.  The band played extremely well placing 2^nd in both the Juvenile Novice a and Juvenile Novice b.

The band now have time to focus on their solo competition pieces for the Jimmy Durham competition which will be held here at the College in August.  This is competition is to find the best young pipers in Queensland and will be held in conjunction with a drumming competition.

Mr David Marriott | Head of Senior Boys’ Boarding

Last week we celebrated National Boarding Week where we celebrated our boarders and what they bring to our community.  You may have seen some profiles we posted on social media throughout the week as way to get to know some of our boarding students.  The kids had so much completing their profile and sharing photos from home, that I thought I’d share mine too…  Here goes!

Home town

The beautiful bayside suburb of Wynnum/Manly, in Brisbane.

How long have you been on staff at SCOTS?
I started in January this year as Head of Senior Boys’s Boarding and teaching some HPE.

Favourite meal at home?

Well, I am the cook at home, so it is obviously whatever I make (hahaha), although my favourite meal is ALWAYS one made by someone else!!

Favourite meal in boarding?
Everything cooked by Chef John, but I especially love his winter soups for lunch.

Tips to cope with homesickness –
Being new to the ‘country life’, and moving away from my Brisbane based family has been a challenge at times (just like it is for all boarding students when they leave home), but I am lucky to have my wonderful wife Jodi with me for several days each week. My move has certainly been made easier by the fantastically supportive staff at SCOTS, as well as the great bunch of boys I have in the boarding house. As I say to the boys, my best tip for homesickness is to stay busy and spend time with each other doing things that make you smile.

One thing you look forward to when you go home for holidays?
Catching up with my children and other family members and seeing my Brisbane based mates.

What is the best thing about boarding school?
I believe it is all about the positive relationships that can be made by everyone. Boarding is often the start of lifelong friendships (especially for boys), so I really encourage that aspect here at SCOTS.

How has boarding school helped you?
My many years working in schools in all areas, including boarding, has helped me realise that the best contribution I can make in the lives of young men in boarding is to help them develop the qualities they need to be a ‘good bloke’. I will continue to do that here at SCOTS.

We are super excited to share that our wonderful P&F have once again organised the Colour Run as 2021’s major fundraising activity.

Students have received their starter packs which provide them with step by step instructions to set up an online profile and seek sponsorship.   In order to make this a successful event (remember the fun we had last year?) please assist your child with their fundraising efforts by helping them to set up their online profile.

The colour runs for our different sub-schools will take place on June 10 and June 17 (right after our College Interclan Athletics carnivals), so between now and then let’s get stuck into some fundraising!

Here’s the link to help get you started https://www.schoolfundraising.com.au/

We have 3 carnivals coming up in the first few weeks of June that we are seeking volunteers for.  Please click the link and register your details to sign up for volunteering. Any assistance you can offer would be greatly appreciated!

QCIS Carnival | 1 June 2021

volunteersignup.org/TDMLC

SCOTS JAM Athletics Carnival | 10 June 2021

volunteersignup.org/JD7CB

SCOTS Senior Athletics Carnival – 16 and 17 June 2021

volunteersignup.org/QKXKK