Captain of School

Joshua Ledger

Captain of School

At the beginning of the 2021 academic year, the Year 12 cohort designed a theme: Seize the Opportunity, Excel as One. With the vast number of events that occurred in this semester alone, it is safe to say the school has followed this effortlessly.

The academic year began with another brilliant March Out. These celebrations epitomise what our community stands for. We see our leaving Year 12s march with their Houses for the last time and have the privilege of witnessing how much they care about their school as they reflect on their time at Scotch. We then celebrated the return of the old boys for Founders’ Day as they watched Assembly and took part in the Pipe Band once more.

In Summer Term, we welcomed the new Year 9 students to the Senior School. The nervous but eager group of boys had an unusual introduction into Senior School life, with COVID-19 sending WA into lockdown and forcing schooling online. The way both boys and staff approached this obstacle should not go unmentioned. We were all required to respond to the change quickly, and the positive and motivated attitudes possessed by all enabled a very smooth transition from in-classroom to online education. Fortunately, the Year 12 Ball went ahead in the third week of term. The Italian Summer theme blew everyone’s mind, and I think I speak for all when I say the night will be remembered. Again, thanks to all the parents and staff involved in organising the night. An event as large as our Ball takes countless hours of hard work; thank you for everything.

The 2020/21 Summer Sport season was one that I am sure brought a big smile to the face of our Head of Sport, Mr Foster. Scotch had huge success across all Sports, winning the Darlot Cup in Cricket, the Challenge Cup in Rowing and the Corr Cup in Tennis, with the boys celebrating an undefeated season. The First Basketball and Water Polo teams had great seasons, placing second in the Inter-School competition. Congratulations must also go to those involved in Sailing, who placed second in the State Schools Team Racing Regatta. The Scotch Swimming team completed another very successful season, placing second at the Inter-School Swimming Carnival to continue their fantastic rise in recent years. A huge congratulations to all the boys for their involvement in the Summer Sport season; the level of competition and sportsmanship was really pleasing.

Towards the end of Summer Term, respect for women and the behaviours displayed around and about women were under focus. The website Teach Us Consent was created by Chanel Contos and invited teenagers and adults to submit testimonies of sexual assault online. Respect and consent were discussed at Assemblies, in Chapel and in House Assemblies throughout the remainder of the term, focusing on identifying the types of behaviour that exist and emphasising that they are not acceptable. We have planned discussions for Mentor Periods in Autumn Term around this behaviour and language, which will take place following the Semester 1 examinations.

The first half of the year has been a memorable one, and I know that we are looking forward to Semester 2.

Jack Kampf, Pierce Davis, Cody Price, Curtis Sciano and Wesley Huang at the Year 12 Ball, photograph: Rift Photography

Jarvis Banfield

Vice-Captain of School (Operations)

Ross House’s winning student basketball team and their competitors, the staff

This semester has been jampacked with House events, from soccer to chess to debating, seeing wonderful support and participation from students and teachers.

The year started with the very intense competition of Senior (Year 11/12) Basketball. The entire gym floor and balcony was absolutely packed with supporters, creating an incredible atmosphere as the boys cheered for their respective Houses, loudly and proudly. After three weeks of spirited competition, Ross House secured the win. They went on to play against an elite team of staff and again were victorious.

The high standards continued as the Senior Debating and Water Polo competitions started. A special mention to all those boys who were not overly confident with public speaking or being in the water but took themselves out of their comfort zones and gave it a go, which in the end is what the Staff Trophy (House Competition) is all about.

In Senior Debating, the winning House was Cameron, who then debated against a team of teachers. The topic was ‘The Scotch haircut policy should be repealed’ with teachers on the affirmative side. With a lot of funny points made, the teachers took the win. Look out for the infamous mullet in 2022!

It was great to have some new faces in Summer Term, as the Year 9 cohort joined the Senior School. They began the term with their first Marching, and with minimal preparation, there were a lot of ‘square-gaiters’ but in no time, the Year 12s taught them how to get it right.

The first Inter-House event for the Year 9s was Junior (Year 9/10) Soccer, which enabled them to experience the support, mateship and competitiveness of the Staff Trophy. Junior Debating and Senior Chess followed, and the term was in full swing.

The major Inter-House event of Summer Term was the Inter-House Swimming Carnival. The event was supposed to take place in Week 2 but was postponed to Week 8 due to a COVID-19 scare. It was a great event and ran smoothly. Congratulations to Anderson House for winning the Carnival and receiving the MacKinlay Cup for the very first time since it came into existence in 1971.

At the end of Semester 1, the top three Houses on the Staff Trophy ladder were: 1. Anderson 2. Brisbane 3. Alexander

The 10 House Vice-Captains of Operations have all been incredible, organising teams and ensuring the events ran smoothly. Thanks to all the staff and students for their involvement, and we look forward to all the highlights of Semester 2.