In this issue

Mr Richard Dobrenov | Deputy Principal and Head of Senior School

Ponytail Project: Our Senior Girls rock the chop

Last Friday was a momentous day in the Senior School, as 14 of our girls and the courageous Mrs George chopped off their ponytails to support the Cancer Council’s ‘Ponytail Project’.  Abby Brown took it a step further and sacrificed all of her hair and is now rocking a crew cut!

The team have been fundraising throughout the last 12 months and proudly reported that they’d managed to raise a whopping $8,500 as a group.  This is a phenomenal effort and as a College, we couldn’t be more proud of their efforts.

It was great to have a representative from the Cancer Council on site to witness the chop, as well as lots of family and friends to support the girls.  Taking part in the Ponytail Project in Year 12 has become a SCOTS PGC tradition in recent years, and one we are certainly looking to continue.

Congratulations to all of our brave senior girls (Georgie Malone, Bridget Hardy, Sophie Poole, Lilly Cole, Alana Gray, Abby Brown, Charlotte Kielly, Emma Bradbury, Niamh Ryan, Maddy Taylor, Elyse Peters, Gabby Sellick, Neitayah Prince, Mia Bischoff) and of course, Mrs George for their selflessness and commitment to such a great cause.  Thank you also to the team of hairdressers who were here to take over the haircutting process once the official chop was complete.

PARTY Program 

On Friday 6 November, 30 students from Years 10 and 11 attended the PARTY Program at the Toowoomba Base Hospital. The excursion gives students a real life insight into the workings of the trauma department of hospitals as well as the rehabilitation areas of Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Pathology.

The Program is a dynamic and interactive injury awareness and health promotion program, that uses clinical reality to show participants the consequences that can occur when engaging in risk-taking behaviour. The program was established in 1986 at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada (www.partyprogram.com), and now operates at more than 100 sites worldwide.  P.A.R.T.Y. aims to provide participants with information that will enable them to recognise potential injury-producing situations, make prevention-oriented choices, and adopt behaviours that minimise unnecessary risk.

Throughout the excursion, participants engaged with paramedics, doctors, nurses, allied health practitioners, patients, and their families in the hospital. Learning occurs through a combination of presentations by hospital staff including an Emergency Medicine Specialist, a Maxillofacial Specialist and interactive scenario-based learning demonstrations.  The aim of the P.A.R.T.Y. Program throughout Australia is to reduce the impact of trauma and burden of injury on society. Let’s hope that the messages of the day about safe choices remain with them.

Character Builders visit strengthens bonds and fosters unity in Year 7

Mrs Melissa Stephenson | Head of Years 7 & 8

Excitement filled the air on Monday as Year 7 students welcomed the Character Builders team back to the College. The day was filled with activities that not only challenged our students but also encouraged them to grow as individuals and come together as a cohort.

The day started with a strong message: “Step Up, Step Back, Encourage Others.” Our students were quick to embrace this philosophy as they were partnered with students they may not have had the chance to get to know so well. It was a wonderful opportunity for everyone to step out of their comfort zones and connect with each other outside the classroom.

The activities they participated in throughout the day were both fun and thought-provoking. They were placed in teams and given quizzes and challenges that encouraged teams to be creative, think outside of the box, socialise, understand the backgrounds of individuals and collaborate with each other.  These small challenges required teamwork and problem-solving, and they brought out the best in our students as they collaborated and shared ideas.

However, the true highlight of the day was when students demonstrated their support for one another by giving “Big Ups.” They showed gratitude and appreciation for each other, offering positive affirmations to the peers they admire or are inspired by.

This day served as a reminder of the importance of unity within the cohort. Our Year 7 students reflected on the experiences they shared, the new friendships they established, and the existing friendships that were strengthened. They also contemplated how this sense of unity could continue to grow in the following years.

Thank you to the Character Builders team for inspiring our students and helping them recognise the power of working collaboratively and supporting one another.

Ms Amanda Hall | Head of Junior School

Year 5 Camp

Our Year 5 students shared a memorable camp experience during their two-day adventure at Camp Cooby on Thursday 5 and Friday 6 October. Very early Thursday morning, our eager students, under the supervision of Mrs Gander and Mr Blake, embarked on a scenic bus ride to the tranquil Camp Cooby, nestled on the banks of the picturesque Lake Cooby.

Students were divided into two teams: Team Coby and Team King Bob. This division set the stage for some healthy competition and an opportunity to work closely with different peers, fostering lasting bonds. The heart of this camp experience lay in the various team-building activities that our students enthusiastically participated in, aimed to test their problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and collaboration. These activities were carefully designed to not only promote teamwork but also to boost self-confidence and resilience.

As the sun dipped below the horizon on Thursday evening, the sunset was something to behold before a delicious dinner followed by a gathering for marshmallows around the campfire.

Our Year 5 students returned with a sense of accomplishment, having conquered challenges and having strengthened their connections with their peers. Students reflected on their time at camp upon returning to the classroom and have shared some of their highlights below:

• The challenges and tasks were exciting and involved a lot of teamwork. We saw an immense difference in our communication skills between the start of camp and the end (Stephanie McCosker)
• All of the group challenges such as the leaky pipe challenge and the land mine challenge were challenging but rewarding (Finlay Brown)
• The ‘Cooby Quest’ helped us learn more about each other and our strengths (Alayna Jones)
• My favourite thing was raft building. We had to build a raft out of pipes, barrels and rope. We had to communicate a lot and we had so many great ideas (Bridgit Evans)
• I enjoyed how nice the bush was on the property (Ari Hall)
• The boys could all fit into one cabin (Lewis Lalley)
• I wish that we could have stayed longer so that we could do more activities and eat more of the good food (Grace Ryan)
• I loved how the Camp Cooby staff taught us to care for and listen to each other (Maggie Hempel)

It is hoped that the memories and lessons from this camp will stay with our Year 5 students for years to come.

Australian Juvenile Pipe Band Championships and the Australian Solo Championships

Mrs Christine Peterson | Pipes and Drums Coordinator

SCOTS PGC College was fortunate to host the inaugural Australian Juvenile Pipe Band Championships and the Australian Solo Championships from 28 – 30 September.  This event was attended by bands and soloists from across Australia.

Most arrived on Thursday and were straight into a workshop sponsored by a Regional Art Development Grant.  This gave performers an opportunity to work with different instructors and have a bit of fun getting to know each other.  On Thursday night everyone joined into a games evening where they had an opportunity to develop their communication skills.  On Friday morning, 120 students headed out to Queen Mary Falls for a bit of bushwalking – something new to many of the city kids.  On return to SCOTS PGC College on Friday afternoon, the Freestyle competition got underway after a few changes of venue.  SCOTS PGC College won this event with their rendition of ‘Steam train to Malliag’. Friday night was a chance for everyone to watch the A Grade pipers and drummers compete for the Australian Solo Championships.  The most exciting part of this was the drumming competition with an audience cheering for competitors.

On Saturday, competitors arrived early at Briggs Oval and the main event was in full swing with the Development Band Competition up first.  This was won by BBC number 3 band, with Knox College Sydney placing second and our SCOTS PGC Development band in third.  In the Novice 4B contest, Queensland Police Juvenile took out the honours, with BBC number 2 placing second and Ballarat Grammar third. While SCOTS PGC did not place, we were second in the piping results.  The final band competition saw SCOTCH College winning and BBC pipes and drums second.

Many of The SCOTS PGC College students also took part in the solo competition with excellent results.

• Novice piping U16 | 1st Hamish Bayley
• U13 Air | 2nd Tim Amos, 3rd Kennedy Carey
• U16 Air|  1st Nick Jackson
• U18 Air | 1st Rory Macfarlane
• Open Air | 1st Rory Macfarlane, 3rd Nick Jackson
• U16 Piobaireachd | 1st Thomas Crawford, 2nd Nick Jackson,
• U18 Piobaireachd | 2nd Rory Macfarlane
• Open Piobaireachd | 1st Nick Jackson

2/4 March

• U13| 1st Tim Amos
• U16 | 1st Nick Jackson
• U18 | 1st Nick Jackson

D Grade aggregate winners

• U13 Tim Amos
• U16 Nick Jackson
• U18 Rory Macfarlane

Drumming

• Snare Novice March U13 | 3rd Andrew Amos
• D grade SnareMarch U18 | Kweller Manfield
• D Grade Snare 6/8 March U18 | 3rd Kweller Manfield
• D grade Tenor U13 | Jemmah Neilson
• D grade Tenor 6/8 | Jemmah Neilson
• Aggregate U13 Winner – Jemmah Nielson
• D Grade Bass drumming U16 | 2nd Eliana Amos

Thank you to everyone who assisted in some way over the planning and during the competition, it was very much appreciated, and the event could not have happened without that support.

New resident sheep at SCOTS! Meet our Corriedale Sheep

Mr Matt Franklin | Agriculture Teacher

Earlier this year, the College decided to diversify the sheep program with the introduction of a Corriedale Stud, the first in Queensland since 1982. Based on genetics from Rangiora, Woodhall and Bathurst Grammar, the stud has already had significant success, including a Reserve Supreme Champion Ram at the EKKA, and Champion Ewe at the Gatton Show.  We’ve also welcomed the first lambs for the College too!

It is the hope that these animals will provide our Show Team and Agriculture students opportunities to develop husbandry skills and knowledge, not only in prime lambs but also within wool handling, classing and judging.  We will be the only school in Queensland to operate a long-wool, dual purpose stud.

About Corriedales:

The Corriedale simultaneously evolved in both Australia and New Zealand in about 1874 by selectively breeding from cross-bred progeny of pure Merino and Lincoln sheep. The breed was developed to meet a demand for a dual-purpose animal with good meat characteristics and commercial wool production. The modern Australian Corriedale is a large framed, plain-bodied, polled sheep, capable of producing heavy carcases of lamb, hogget or mutton. Ideal for export and domestic markets, Corriedales produce heavy cutting bright fleeces, with good style, length and handle. Mean fibre diameter ranges from 25 to 30 microns in adult sheep to the low 20s in lambs and hoggets, with a high demand for wool spinning.  

National Interschool Equestrian Championships

Over the school holidays, Sophie Brennan headed all the way to Werribee in Victoria for the Marcus Oldham National Interschool Equestrian Championships. We are very proud to announce that Sophie was named the Australian National Preliminary Dressage Champion riding her horse, Beechwood Lavita, to the championship after the long haul south to Victoria.

They took the win in both of the Preliminary Dressage Tests which led to their ultimate crowning as the overall champion. They also picked up 2nd place in the Novice 2.2 Dressage test, placing 9th overall in the Secondary Novice event.  The Queensland Dressage Team placed 3rd overall and Sophie had the honour of being one of the team captains for this year’s championship.

We congratulate Sophie on this honour and wish her the very best for her continued development and success in the future.

National Futsal Championships Success

Several students attended the National Schools Futsal Championships in Brisbane during the school holidays, where they each experienced various levels of success.

Treshawne Achari, Ivy Stirling, William Grayson, Tori Winters, Jodie Bergemann, Macey Mitchell, Bonnie Petersen, Matthew Howard, Phoebe Sellick, Lachlan Groves, Briana Groves, Amelia Waller, Ellyse Kruger, Emma Bradbury and Krystal Petersen all represented Queensland with distinction and demonstrated that ‘never say die’ attitude synonymous with SCOTS PGC students and our style of play.

Krystal Petersen was a member of the National Championship-winning U19 QLD West Blue team in a competition that had everything in it. Krystal stood tall in the goal in the final, repelling several attacks in the heated exchange. Also in the U19’s, Emma Bradbury’s Green team took the champions to the wire with a 3-3 draw in their pool games and were unlucky not to join Krystal’s team in the final four. Emma was subsequently named MVP of her team at the end of the tournament.

Matt Howard, in the U16 boys, threw himself at everything as goalkeeper in his team’s campaign and did us all proud with some of his heroics, but alas these heroics were not enough to take them all the way. Also proving his metal between the sticks, was Lachlan Groves in the U14 team. Lachlan had a pretty tough assignment with his team faltering at the last on several occasions. Will Grayson was his ever-competitive self never giving up in the face of adversity and although they did not win many games, Will’s performance was a standout.

Jodie Bergemann and Macey Mitchell, in the U14 Girls, enjoyed themselves immensely and learnt a lot as they encountered some of the best players in the country for their age. Bonnie Petersen continues to develop as a goalkeeper in her own right and performed admirably at this highest of levels in our country. Phoebe Sellick and Briana Groves shone brightly for the U16 Queensland West Team taking them to the semi-finals where they unfortunately went down 3-2 in a tense thriller. They also were significant contributors to the game play and success of the U19 Green team where they stepped in to assist Emma Bradbury’s team on several occasions.

Ellyse Kruger put her body on the line several times in the hard fought U15 competition. Only was it after the tournament that we found out that she had suffered a hairline fracture in her foot with two more games to play. She played on demonstrating yet again the never-say-die attitude that our teams are known for.  Amelia Waller had a solid championship with some sweet touches on the ball to bamboozle her opponents and score a few pearlers along the way.

Ivy Stirling continues to improve with every game and Tori Winters was outstanding throughout the tournament. Both enjoyed a fantastic tournament together with Tori particularly standing out with selection in the U12 All Stars Team at presentation night. Tori will undoubtedly be offered a tour spot in the Australian U11 Team in 2024, we look forward to hearing of her exploits in the future.

Last but by no means least, Treshawne Achari had a cracking tournament enjoying every minute on the court with his teammates. Scoring 8 goals in 7 games with a hat-trick to boot, Treshawne was invited to join the Australian U12 Team to tour the Philippines in 2024, a great recognition of his efforts at the championships and a fantastic opportunity.

We congratulate all on their achievements and trust that their experience was a great learning one on which they can build upon as players in the future.

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

Town Chapel service

On Sunday morning, over 80 boarding students, girls and boys, and several staff joined to local congregation in Warwick for the Town Chapel service at the beautiful Uniting Church. This service was in celebration of 70 years of service by Blue Care in Queensland as well as a special acknowledgement of our SCOTS PGC boarders and our Year 12 students.

Rev Ansie was wonderful in her praise of our boarders and it was fantastic to see both old and young generations mixing socially as we celebrated together. Overall, once again, our boarding community represented themselves, their family and the College magnificently.

Year 12 Boarding Dinners

As a special way to commence the ‘Festival of leaving’, both the Senior girl and boy boarders enjoyed a night out with their Directors of Boarding,  Ms Woodgate and Mr Marriott, at their favourite Warwick eatery. Both groups enjoyed a fantastic night of stories, laughter and future plans. What a wonderful bunch of young women and men we have in our Year 12 boarders. We wish them well as they commence their journey to life after school, which is sure to be filled with excitement, promise and achievement.

One Final Goodbye From the Class of 2023

Emma Bradbury & Lexie Zerner | Publications Prefects

As we bid farewell to another year, it’s a time for reflection, gratitude, and anticipation. We say goodbye to the moments that have shaped us, the challenges that have made us stronger, and the joys that have filled our hearts. With each passing year, we grow, evolve, and learn, as we look ahead to the unknown of the year to come. Goodbyes can be bittersweet, but they also signify new beginnings and fresh opportunities on the horizon. For our Grade 12 cohort, it may signify the end of our high school journey but the beginning of the rest of our lives.

As we count down our final days at the College, memories of our last two years resurface, and we remember the laughs and smiles shared amongst our cohort. The Year 11 Leadership Camp, which now seems so long ago, was a highlight for our cohort. Our grade formed a closer bond, as we faced and overcame various challenges and obstacles. We have enjoyed many sports carnivals together, both as a year group and as a school. Emma and I have loved watching members of our College try their best and cheering on their peers. And we can’t forget Leslie’s amazing victory in the 2023 Clan Sing-Off!

At the beginning of 2023, our prefect group embarked on a journey to Brisbane, where we navigated the city and had an absolute blast being independent in a setting that was both exciting and a bit daunting. The highlight for every Year 12 cohort is the Cardinal, and it was truly an amazing evening. We loved learning the dances and spending time together! Finally, we have made so many memories in the classroom and across the campus. Emma spoke fondly of her time in Mr Keevers’ legendary Geography class, with his countless dad jokes and the unique nicknames he gave to the class members. Whilst I enjoyed my time in Mr Alley’s music class and the countless hours we spent making music and laughing together. Thank you to everyone who made our senior years unforgettable, we cannot wait to see how you all grow and flourish across the next few years!

We would like to thank Mrs Bohm for her support throughout the year. We are so grateful for her unwavering guidance and kindness. Thank you, Mrs Bohm, we could not have been a part of this portfolio without you. We would also like to thank Mrs Henry for her love for our school’s history, and her willingness to share such an important aspect of the College with us. Thank you both for a fantastic year, we wish you both the best and can’t wait to see how you will continue to support our College.

As we finish our last newsletter article as the Publication Prefects for 2023, Lexie and I would like to introduce and wish the best of luck to the incoming Prefects for 2024; Darcy Noller, Isabelle Twidale, Samuel Bourke, Georgina Buchan, Sarah Mauch, Adam Stephenson, Jorgi Owers, Sophie Weier, Ben Carey, Lachlan Tweddell, Maggie Myer, Will Bryant, Faith Quach, Charlie Rose Matai & George Handley. Each incoming Prefect gaining their very own spot within the school’s history as they contribute to each portfolio of the College, as follows:

• School Spirit – Darcy Noller, Issy Twidale & Sam Bourke
• School Publications – Georgina Buchan & Sarah Mauch
• JAM – Adam Stephenson, Jorgi Owers, Sophie Weier & Ben Carey
• SRC – Lachlan Tweddell & Maggie Myer
• Community Service – Will Bryant, Faith Quach, Charlie Rose Matai & George Handley.

We especially wish the best of luck to Georgina Buchan & Sarah Mauch as they take over the Publications Portfolio for 2024.

Here’s to saying goodbye to the old and welcoming the new with open hearts and open arms.

Thank you,

Lexie Zerner and Emma Bradbury