NEWS
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN ’ S DAY AT SCOTCH
SIGNIFICANT DAY COMMEMORATED AND FUNDS RAISED FOR NT WOMEN ’ S GROUP
For International Women ’ s Day , held on Wednesday 8 March , the entire school engaged in some form of commemoration or celebration .
HARRY McCORKELL of Year 12 said : ‘ On Tuesday , the day preceding International Women ’ s Day , students in Year 7 completed a treasure hunt in which they visited locations around the school searching for clues . Devices were then used to identify a famous woman , answering the questions posed in the clues . The Year 8 cohort also performed a treasure hunt on the following day .
‘ In the Senior School Houses , representing Years 9-12 , presentations were made not only by teachers but by boys from different year levels , with the focus of their speeches both on stereotypes associated with women , as well as the influential women who we look up to in our lives .’
Director of Human Resources , REBECCA IMER said staff enjoyed a special morning tea and were encouraged to wear purple or something bright . ‘ Donations were made to the Wangatunga Strong
Women ’ s Group on Bathurst Island in the Northern Territory .
‘ The Strong Women ’ s Group has developed a Women ’ s Centre on Bathurst Island . They perform at ceremonial and social gatherings , and have a strong tradition of reflecting in their songs the important events of their community , as well as telling traditional stories about their land and their heritage . They are encouraging young women to join them and learn the songs and culture of their people .’
SMOOTHING THE TRANSITION INTO YEAR 7 MAKING EVERY BOY FEEL HEARD , VALUED , LOVED AND WELCOME
The Scotch College Senior School welcomes 234 Year 7 boys at the start of each year . The cohort is comprised of boys from over 80 different primary schools , our own Junior School with 78 boys being the largest , ranging down to over 50 schools that are represented by only one boy entering Scotch . A number of the larger local primary schools are well represented , with many feeding 10 or more boys into the school .
Welcoming boys and their families is a priority . It starts with the enrolment process which for most , is very soon following birth . School tours that are designed to provide opportunity to see the school in action are on offer in between application and commencement . In Year 6 , the Coordinator of Transition interviews every boy starting at Year 7 .
Discussions surround individual learning needs , the academic and wider program and the opportunities that pave the pathway
forward . Boys hopefully leave the interview inspired about the journey ahead of them and alleviated of any anxiety that they might have had .
Boys then come in for an Orientation Day in December . The two main objectives of the day are to meet other boys and some of the Year 7 teachers , and to understand better the geography of the campus . Following the summer vacation , school starts with a Welcome Service , Scotch Family Association Barbecue and a transition camp at the school ’ s property at Cowes .
The transition from primary to secondary school is a significant step in the lives of the boys . Scotch ’ s focus is to help every boy step up into the Senior School as easily as possible , smoothing the transition by making every boy feel heard , valued , loved and welcome .
TONY GLOVER – COORDINATOR OF TRANSITION
38 Great Scot Issue 168 – May 2023