Senior and Junior Netball

Mrs Hester Wiid 

The netball girls have finally reached the end of the netball season for 2021.

This week, the Senior Girls had an awesome win against Assumption College Warwick this week in a fantastic team display. The girls fought hard from the get-go –  the game was tight early but the girls edged away as the second quarter progressed. The final score of 30 to 14 for SCOTS belies the contest which was a tough affair!  Our Senior girls are now through to the Semi-Finals against team Impact.  Congratulations to the Senior Girls, who have shown excellent sportsmanship and perseverance throughout the season.

SCOTS Netball took the double this week with the Junior Girls having a fantastic finish with the last game of the season scoring a 40 to 9 win against Funky Monkeys. The girls stormed away with the match, outgunning their opposition after the first quarter.  Unfortunately, our Junior girls just missed out on the Semi-Finals by 7 points! They have done very well this season and improved their skills considerably.

The Senior Girls will play in the finals on Monday 23 August (Time TBA) at WIRAC, please bring a friend and support our girls from the side line.

Special thank you to coach Tiffany Cullen and Mrs Ratcliffe who have worked the netball girls during countless early-morning and afternoon training sessions so they could recognise their full potential this season.

Is it OK to listen to music while studying? featured image

Is it OK to listen to music while studying?

Mr Richard Dobrenov | Deputy Principal & Head of Senior School The question of whether music helps or hinders one’s ability to study has long …

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Is it OK to listen to music while studying?

Mr Richard Dobrenov | Deputy Principal & Head of Senior School

The question of whether music helps or hinders one’s ability to study has long been debated in homes, at schools, and now at universities.  A recent study conducted by the University of Wollongong determined that whilst music may put the listener in a better mood, thus increasing concentration; the genre of the music has a major impact on the level of distraction.  The term ‘Mozart Effect’ coined in the early 1990s emerged from a study which found that listening to complex classical music like Mozart improved spatial awareness; however, further research has shown that these improvements are conclusively linked to mood enhancement through music.  Improved mood has been linked to increased effort and perseverance with more challenging tasks.

An important feature of increased capacity whilst listening to music is the style of music being listened to. The process of studying relies on using our working memory which means that we hold and manipulate several bits of information in our head at once. Research shows that when people listen to music with lyrics, there is a decrease in reading comprehension.  It also appears that introverted people are more distracted whilst listening to music than those who are extroverts, perhaps because people who are introverted tend to be more easily overstimulated.

In an attempt to figure out the relative effect of the competing factors of mood and distraction, Australian researcher Bill Thompson tested a complicated comprehension task on participants with varying levels of classical music both soft and loud, fast and slow. The experiment revealed that a minor decrease in performance occurred with classical music which was both fast and loud but it wasn’t significant. What the research did show was that music does enhance mood but it shouldn’t be too fast or too loud and should be without words.

What does seem to be the best way to improve your IQ, is to actually learn to play a musical instrument.  Jessica Grahn, a cognitive scientist at Western University in London, Ontario claims that a year’s worth of piano lessons and regular practise can increase your IQ by as much as three points.  So, unfortunately, just listening to Mozart or any other music will not have the desired effect of increasing your IQ.  By learning and repeatedly practising music, we strengthen the association of motor actions with specific sound and visual patterns, while receiving continuous multisensory feedback.  Brain plasticity is increased and there are definite cognitive improvements.  Alas, Music teachers have been saying this for decades; perhaps a lesson for us all.

Coming soon… Junior School playground! featured image

Coming soon… Junior School playground!

We are very excited to share that the highly anticipated installation of our new Junior School playground is finally here – work commenced this week! …

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Coming soon… Junior School playground!

We are very excited to share that the highly anticipated installation of our new Junior School playground is finally here – work commenced this week!

In conjunction with the College’s contribution, the new Junior School Playground is a generous gift from our Parents and Friends Association, who pledged funds during the College Centenary in recognition of our special 100-year milestone.   The playground was scheduled to be installed soon after the Centenary; however, was delayed throughout 2020 due to various COVID restrictions.

With creative input from our students, our new playground is designed specifically for our boys and girls in Years 1 to 4 and is set to be an excellent outdoor learning and play space for our Junior School.  The playground is designed to blend into our natural environment and features both elevated structures and a wide range of play elements that encourage role-playing, climbing, gross motor movement and ground level, open-ended, imaginative play.

This is a wonderful addition to our College campus and as a community, we are very grateful for the generosity of our P & F Association and College families who have contributed to fund projects such as these.  We look forward to seeing our students enjoy our new playground and the joy and learning benefits it will bring to our College.

Year 11 Camp Wrap up featured image

Year 11 Camp Wrap up

Hannah Myer | Year 11 Student “Just one more staple…we’ve got you! Jump!” A single step off the 8m pole into thin air – how …

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Year 11 Camp Wrap up

Hannah Myer | Year 11 Student

“Just one more staple…we’ve got you! Jump!” A single step off the 8m pole into thin air – how much do you trust your classmates? Could you push past your fear of heights?

The Year 11 camp to Alexandra Headlands was a week full of challenges as we learned to push a little further than the boundaries of our fears, teaching us all something about grit, persistence, and leadership. It was hard: we struggled, we fell, but we never gave up.

Whether you had a fear of heights, the ocean, or living for a week with 40 other teenagers, the camp had an activity for everyone. Across the week, we participated in a range of exciting activities including high ropes, rock climbing, surfing, raft building, a milk crate climb, the pamper pole, and beach games. There even was time to fit in an impromptu talent show with a well-cheered lip-synced Spice Girls performance and a dance lesson from Miss Berriman, and a campfire that allowed us all to get to know each other better around the flames.

Leadership sessions and seminars with Mr Thompson and Mr Kuhn further guided the week as we discussed possible themes for 2022 and our responsibilities as we approach our senior years. There were many thoughtful conversations as we all reflected on the mark that we wanted to leave on the SCOTS PGC and the influence we hold.

Year 11 camp provided us all an opportunity to bond and build relationships working together. As we encouraged each other and found our place in the team, we learned that you don’t have to be the loudest or the smartest to be a leader, but everyone is a leader in their own way. Amidst all the challenges, there was also a lot of fun as we made great memories. To future Year 11 students: Year 11 camp really is as good as everyone raves! Thank you to all the teachers and staff who came on camp and have put up with wearing masks for us! We are all very grateful for this opportunity to have attended this amazing camp.

From the Co-Curricular Desk featured image

From the Co-Curricular Desk

Mr Tom Bradbury | Assistant Director of Co-Curricular Activities Super 6 Rugby Returns! After a forced layoff due to the lockdown in the Lockyer Valley, …

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From the Co-Curricular Desk

Mr Tom Bradbury | Assistant Director of Co-Curricular Activities

Super 6 Rugby Returns!

After a forced layoff due to the lockdown in the Lockyer Valley, the Super 6 Competition returns with SCOTS PGC travelling to UQ Gatton next Wednesday for all three grades. Under 13s will commence at 4.30 pm, Under 15s at 5.30 pm and the Open team at 6.30 pm. The competition continues through to Week 8 and concludes in Week 9 with a first past the post-resolution to the shortened season.

QCIS 7’s Rugby

Our Girls 7’s teams head to Downlands today to take on the QCIS Schools in the inaugural QCIS 7’s. The round-robin format will see our girls play Our Lady of the Southern Cross College, Toowoomba Anglican School, and Downlands College. The competition starts at 2.40 pm and concludes around 5.40 pm.

SCOTS 7’s CARNIVAL

On Saturday 4 September the Annual SCOTS 7’s Carnival will be held on Briggs and Dunning Ovals, with schools from across the region descending upon the College for a massive day of Rugby 7’s. Our three boy’s teams and two girl’s teams will pit themselves against the likes of Glennie and Fairholme (in the girls), Our Lady of the Southern Cross and Downlands among many others

QCIS Athletics is back on the calendar

After much toing and froing with our fellow QCIS schools, we have agreed upon a date for the rescheduled QCIS Athletics. This event will be held next Friday 27 August at Downlands College. A revised team list and information letter will be emailed this weekend to all team members and their families.

Southern Downs Athletics

On Monday 16 August, the main carnival day for the Southern Downs 9-12 years Zone Athletics was held at Allora State School.

Several students performed admirably taking Age Champion honours:

     12 years Girls – Hayley Wainwright  1st

     12 years Boys – Innes Nowlan 1st, Lachlan Groves 5th

     11 years Girls – Bethany Moore-Kirkland 4th

     11 years  Boys – Oliver Miller  1st, Colby Miller 4th

Hayley was also named Most Outstanding Athlete of the Carnival with a massive 83 points from her events and 3 records in the process. We congratulate Hayley on this achievement which she also achieved in 2019 when she shared the title with fellow SCOTS student Nicholas Denny.

Several students also gained what would have been qualifying standards for the Darling Downs Championships which were to be held next week until the recent lockdown led to the cancellation of all Regional and State Championships.

We congratulate the following students on what would have been their selection to the Southern Downs Team:

Hayley Wainwright, Inness Nowlan, Oliver Miller, Colby Miller, Scott Wainwright, and Henry McMillan all gained qualifying standards.

Warwick All Schools Athletics

On Wednesday, the College 12-19 years athletes from Years 7-12 contested the 99th Annual Warwick All Schools Athletics here at SCOTS PGC.

The day was jam-packed with events across the athletic spectrum aplenty. The day started with the 1500m Walk and the Hurdles events where our star athletes shone brightly. Eliza Moore-Kirkland performed the best in these with a record in the 80m Hurdles for the 13 years Girls. The success in the hurdles continued with significant wins to Nelson Madua 15 years 100m, and Geoffrey Warren in the 17/18 years 110m Hurdles.

Ben Carey was the pick of the 800m runners with a start to finish win against all-comers. Whilst the track events rolled through from event to event, the field events had several rounds to reel through and our students figured in the placings much of the time. Ewan Mc Farland dominated the Open 1500m boys event after a very solid second in the 800m.

Georgia Moody’s solo effort in the 400m was inspirational to a team keen to fill spots and represent their school, whilst Mackenzie Mayall showed a glimpse of what he is capable of with an impressive 55-second time also in the 400m.

Full results will be published to the team in the near future but in summary, we can simply say the SCOTS team dominated proceedings.

Of all the trophies on offer, SCOTS won all but one with the following results achieved.

Junior Girls Aggregate – 1st

Junior Boys Aggregate – 1st

Senior Girls Aggregate – 1st

Senior Boys Aggregate – 1st

Overall Schools Average Trophy – 1st

Junior Girls Relays – 1st

Junior Boys Relays – 1st

Senior Girls Relays – 2nd

Senior Boys Relays – 1st

Several students also gained Age Championships honours with…

     13 years – Elliza Moore-Kirkland, Bailey Harm

     14 years – Phoebe Sellick

     15 years – Samuel Wainwright

     16 years – Makybe Edwards

     17/18 yrs – Geoffrey Warren,

all taking the Age Champion Titles respectively.

In addition, the following students were Runner Up Age Champions – Ellyse Kruger 13 years, Harry Mayall 15 years, and Chloe Wainwright 17/18 years.

Well done to all the students on their efforts as they pursue excellence on the track and in the field. Only a true team effort could overcome the size of the Warwick SHS Team.

Senior School Hockey Team

In the Open competition, our Mixed squad had another big win to secure the top spot and a ticket to the Grand Final on 31 August. Seb Christensen continues to demonstrate amazing speed and skills along with Millie Groves. Ewan McFarland and Nicholas McGahan continue to improve in all areas and are becoming a very solid midfield combination. Emma Bradbury continues to distribute the ball well and Samuel Bourke storms through midfield like a hot knife through butter when given half the chance.

In the Warwick Interschool Competition, SCOTS 1 played SCOTS 2 in the Semi-Final and a tense battle ensued. SCOTS 2 took the lead midway through the first half through Sam Bourke, but early in the second half, Millie Groves levelled it up at 1 all. For a long period, the prospect of a shootout loomed large with the game ebbing and flowing from end to end. Late in the third quarter, SCOTS 2 scored what would be the winning goal and the only thing standing between SCOTS 1 and the Grand Final.

The younger SCOTS 1 team fought hard and were a better defensive outfit for much of the match, but the older heads in SCOTS 2 managed to persevere and book their ticket to the Grand Final with Assumption next week.

Tanner Henley, Will Angus and Emma Bradbury certainly led the way for SCOTS 1 with several improving performances by Noah Page, Jekeira Major and new player Bryoni Marshall.

In SCOTS 2, Georgia Moody continues to improve along with Niamh Fender and Sofia Marosi. Briana Groves led the way for the girls whilst Sam Bourke linked up with newbie Darcy Brennan and Nicholas McGahan to form a solid spine.

Next week SCOTS 1 take on Warwick SHS in the third and fourth position playoff at 4.20 pm, whilst SCOTS 2 will take on Assumption College in the Grand Final. Spectators are welcome and we would love to see some support down at the Warwick Hockey Association grounds.

Upcoming Events

  • QCIS Athletics 10-19 years – Friday 27 August | DOWNLANDS College
  • Darling Downs Schools Cup Hockey – Wednesday 1 and Thursday 2 September
  • SCOTS 7’s – Saturday 4 September | Briggs and Dunning Ovals
Science Week! featured image

Science Week!

We’ve had a tremendous time in and out of the classroom celebrating Science week over the last 5 days! From making elephant’s toothpaste to constructing …

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Science Week!

We’ve had a tremendous time in and out of the classroom celebrating Science week over the last 5 days!

From making elephant’s toothpaste to constructing Mentos fountains, this week has been one of exploration and experimentation.  Our STEM Club also hosted their very first Scinema screening through the week at the WALEC Bandy Theatre, where students were able to view short films focussed on scientific questions and theories.

Take a look through the gallery of images… you’ll even see what some of our Year 8 STEM students have been working on.  This semester has been focussed on coding a mood lamp with Arduino. The cover for their lamps are beginning to take shape; from a pig to a rocket; cows head to a Lego man, there is no limit to their imagination!

 

From our Boarding Houses featured image

From our Boarding Houses

We have officially passed the halfway mark of Term 3! As the term quickly passes by, our boarder’s calendars quickly fill with a variety of …

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From our Boarding Houses

We have officially passed the halfway mark of Term 3!

As the term quickly passes by, our boarder’s calendars quickly fill with a variety of sporting events, exams, assessments and the general daily busyness of life at SCOTS PGC.  It was wonderful to be able to take some downtime last weekend with a fun day of golf and shopping in Toowoomba.  After a hearty breakfast for all (Thanks to John and the catering staff), almost 70 girls and boys combined to take on the City Golf driving range and mini-golf challenges. Many students took pleasure in sending the golf ball well into the distance, while others loved the skill required to get a ‘hole in one’ on the mini-golf course. Regardless, a great morning was had by all. The girls and boys then ventured to Grand Central shopping centre for lunch and some retail therapy before returning to boarding for a well-deserved pizza dinner. Thanks to all staff involved on the day and well done to all our boarders who took part; they were excellent ambassadors for the College in all respects, particularly in their respectful behaviour and willingness to take part.

Check out some great photos from our Golf Day.

There are more activities planned for the coming weeks, in particular, Jersey Day on Monday 30 August, the Rugby 7’s Carnival, for various girls and boys teams, hosted by SCOTS, on Saturday 4 September and the Father’s Day Morning Tea on Sunday 5 September (Week 8). We look forward to seeing as many parents on that weekend as possible.

Dave Marriott | Head of Senior Boys’ Boarding

Stewart Bailey | Head of Junior Boys’ Boarding

Susan Everson | Head of Girls’ Boarding

 

Tartan (Previous editions) FOR SALE

We have a limited number of past issues of the College ‘TARTAN’ available to purchase at the main school office. If you’d like to purchase …

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Tartan (Previous editions) FOR SALE

We have a limited number of past issues of the College ‘TARTAN’ available to purchase at the main school office.

If you’d like to purchase an edition from 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 or 2020, they’re available for $50 per copy.

JAM Movie Night

The SCOTS PGC Parents and Friends Association are hosting a Movie Night for all Junior and Middle School students and their families. Join us for …

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JAM Movie Night

The SCOTS PGC Parents and Friends Association are hosting a Movie Night for all Junior and Middle School students and their families.

Join us for an evening of popcorn and pizza and a special screening of Dr Suess’ ‘The Lorax’

Tickets are $12.50 per person and include pizza (GF option available), popcorn, a drink and a great night out.
The evening will kick off on the WALEC courts at 5:45 pm with the movie screening at 6:00 pm.  The night is expected to finish up around 8:30 pm.

Tickets can be secured via the following link – https://events.humanitix.com/p-and-f-jam-movie-night

We hope to see you there!