Mr Jordan Owenell
Boarding
Scotch Boarding has had a fantastic start to 2021. There is a real vibrancy around the community, and our new structure is working well. The term certainly got off to a strange start in our first week. No sooner had we concluded our orientation weekend for our new boarders on Sunday, than Premier Mark McGowan announced the COVID-19 lockdown, and we asked all our boarders to return home! Thankfully the boys were all back on deck in week two and raring to go. At the start of this year, we realigned our boarding houses more closely with our sub-schools. We now have two distinct residences for our boys, a Middle School Boarding House for boys from Years 6 to 8 and a Senior School Boarding House for Years 9 to 12. We have divided Senior School Boarding into two ‘clans’, with each having boys from Year 9–12. We have named our Clans after two of Scotland’s most famous castles, using the symbolism of castles to represent boarding. Our two Clans are Stirling and Blair, and I urge our community to look up the history of these wonderful Scottish
castles. Old Scotch Collegians would be familiar with a vertical boarding system from back in the days of Brisbane, Anderson and Keys Houses and, I am sure, could appreciate the friendly rivalry that comes out of it. We have been able to strike up a new trophy for our Clash of Clans competitions normally held on a Friday night or Sunday afternoon, alongside a barbecue, throughout the term. These competitions are organised and run by the Year 12 boys, and, so far, we have enjoyed mini golf, volleyball and indoor soccer. The atmosphere for these friendly competitions is always good, and the staff have enjoyed being able to step back and watch the older boys lead the way. Regarding Middle School Boarding, we have been very excited about our new refurbishment project in the Middle School House. The living space is transforming into a more open-plan space, which will be incredible for our boys. We are also rebuilding our downstairs bedrooms to slightly increase our capacity and provide a more modern facility. The building project is set to conclude in July, and the boarders will move into their new home in Winter Term. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting out on the road and visiting families in their local communities. It is one of my favourite aspects
Scott Galipo at the Katanning Agricultural Show
of the role, and I encourage all current families and Old Scotch Collegians to keep an eye out for when we are visiting an area near you. Headmaster Dr O’Connell and Richard Hales recently made Scotch’s annual trip to Albany, visiting families and celebrating our Year 12s completing their Bibbulmun Track journey. I recently visited Manjimup and Frankland River and look forward to visiting families in the Wheatbelt, Pilbara, Mid West and Kimberley in the coming months. Our boarding families in the Mid West and Wheatbelt are particularly in our thoughts in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Seroja, which has affected so many.
Left to right: Vice-Captain of Boarding Darcy O’Halloran (Year 12) and the boys from Stirling Clan celebrate their win in the mini-golf competition; Year 8s Nicholas Chi and Campbell Johnston with Mr Seb Crossley in the Middle School Boarding House
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