NEWS
ABOVE FROM LEFT : NED SUTHERLAND ( YEAR 8 ), AARON DO ( YEAR 10 ), WINNING POSTCARD BY FINN BUCKETT ( YEAR 9 )
for Cultural Heritage , which focuses on the preservation and growth of important cultural traditions .
We chose to create an idea in the AI for Humanitarian Action category . With the help of our mentors , we dreamt up an idea which involved a head-mounted module containing sensors in conjunction with an AR headset to quickly identify survivors under rubble and flag them to search and rescue teams post-natural disasters . Our idea made it to the state finals , where we were placed second .
Science Talent Search and Swimming with Sandbags – the UNICEF Challenge – Gevin Kankanamalage ( Year 7 )
This is an annual science-based competition with a theme . In 2020 the theme focused on innovations to help our ocean . I learnt an immense amount of information on the ocean . It was interesting to learn about the secrets hidden in the dark depths of the seas and the unique marine ecosystem that is rarely looked at . The Science Talent Search taught me a great deal about the unfamiliar parts of science . The UNICEF program involved an interesting discussion on the impacts of COVID-19 on the mental health of children . It was inspiring to listen to how others are coping with the pandemic and the myriad of ways to improve our mental health . I learnt about the importance of our psychological wellbeing .
SCOTCH-GENERATED OPPORTUNITIES : TRIVIA , CHESS , SCOTCH POSTCARDS
Years 7 and 8 trivia – Ned Sutherland ( Year 8 )
During lockdown , boys from Years 7 and 8 had the opportunity to participate in two trivia competitions hosted on Zoom . In teams of three , participants were challenged by a variety of questions from different areas , with the highest scoring Year 7 team and highest scoring Year 8 team both receiving prizes .
These questions were presented in numerous formats . The audio and visual formats involved images and audio being shown and played , and boys responding to questions related to them . ‘ Connect
these words ’ involved boys getting three words and trying to make the connection between them . It was great to see everyone enjoying the questions and having a great time during both competitions .
Scotch Chess – Aaron Do ( Year 10 )
The lockdown measures hit the Scotch chess community with a shock . We no longer had the opportunities to play in physical tournaments and couldn ’ t have weekly chess club meetings where we built a sense of camaraderie – instead , everything was moved online . With the help of this year ’ s Chess Captain , Samuel Zong , we were still able to play against each other virtually after school . It was good to see many players still engaging in chess club and honing their chess skills over the year , despite being unable to play in person .
Interschool tournaments were also held online , and it was evident that some found this change beneficial to their chess skills , while others did not . However , Scotch still played strongly , coming first in the state semi-finals and the state grand final . The Scotch Cardinal team played in the nationals in the first weekend of December .
Scotch Postcards – Finn Buckett ( Year 9 ) This was a new Extension Studies activity that my art teacher had discussed with our class . The artwork had to be a certain size but could take the form of any medium . I chose to work within the abstract form using acrylic paint . The beauty of art is that you do not know what the final product will look like . I chose the colour range , then started with the darker colours so that the lighter colours had a chance to pop out on the canvas .
My original artwork incorporates several techniques such as pouring of various colours , use of spatula , flow-tron and use of blowing and dropping of silicon to create unique patterns . Naming my artwork Sea of Dreams was important , as I hope to inspire others into believing in themselves . I am excited by the prospects of exhibiting in the Linden Postcards Show at the end of the year .
32 Great Scot Issue 161 – December 2020