I have been so impressed by the number of parents, family and community members who have engaged with our fantastic school events in what has been an action-packed and event-filled first few weeks of term.
Even before we kicked off Term 2 with the opening of our Senior Study Centre, our students were out representing the School and commemorating our fallen soldiers in the ANZAC Day March. It was my very first ANZAC Day March down Dean Street and I was so proud of our Pipe Band and all the students from Kindergarten to Year 12 who marched on the day and represented Scots so beautifully. I have received many positive comments about the number of Scots students who marched and how well they were dressed, so a big thank you to all the parents who brought their children to the March and for being such vocal supporters in the enormous crowd.
After the March, I had the pleasure of attending an ANZAC Service with our School Captains, Freya Gniel and Daniel Steer, and our 2/23 Ambassadors, Audrey Joss and Aliera Tucker, at the Monument, followed by another service at the Commercial Club. And, congratulations to Year 10 student Billy Stewart, who was the bugler at all three ANZAC events as well as the Dawn Service and the football!
We started the term with the opening of our wonderful new Senior Study Centre on Monday 29 April. It was a privilege to welcome our Foundation Members and very generous benefactors to view the completed building. We were very lucky to have the Member for Albury, Justin Clancy, attend the opening and share his thoughts.
After the official ribbon-cutting ceremony, boarding families were able to tour the new building and see the space the boarders will use for their evening prep.
It was lovely to hear all the positive comments about the new building.
On Friday 3 April, we had more than 170 people attend the Scots Open Day, which was our largest attendance in a few years. Our theme this year was the “Stories of Scots” where attendees heard the personal stories of Boarding Captain Lucy Dowling; Kindergarten teacher, alumna and past parent Shelley Byrt; Senior School Coordinator, Matt Patching; past student and AFL footballer Charlie Spargo and current parent Edwina Kaye.
Each person spoke about the incredible impact Scots has had on their lives.
This presentation was followed by tours of the campus with our Year 12 leaders stationed at checkpoints to deliver important information about our facilities and programs. Listening to the Year 12 leaders, I was filled with pride and I was so impressed by their confidence, passion and love for Scots. Again, I received so many compliments on the day about how impressive our students were.
Our Mother’s Day breakfast on Friday 10 May was another memorable event. Expecting our usual crowd of about 160 attendees, based on previous years, we were blown away when more than 360 people turned up.
The Senior Study Centre proved to be a fantastic venue and our Year 11 and 12 Hospitality students did an amazing job catering to the large crowd. The breakfast was followed by a lovely Junior School Mother’s Day Chapel attended by many mums.
The Senior School Musical Freaky Friday was wonderful. I couldn't believe the talent of our students and willingness of so many students to be involved backstage in so many different capacities. Again, community engagement was high with over 600 community members attending the Community Matinee and more than 800 people attending the three performances.
On Wednesday 15 May, we held our first Boarding Dinner for many years with more than 200 students, staff, parents, siblings and grandparents travelling long distances to share the night with us. A huge thank you to our Boarding Captains Lucy Dowling and Oscar Clelland for organising such a fantastic event to bring us all together.
Everyone who attended loved the event and can’t wait for this formal dinner to become a regular fixture on our calendar.
This week, we were absolutely blessed with spectacular weather for our annual Senior School Athletics Carnival. I was very impressed by the students’ energy, enthusiasm and participation in the events. Actually, I have never seen such high participation rates (over 90 per cent) in any of my previous secondary schools.
The students, irrespective of their ability, all tried their very best in multiple events.
I thoroughly enjoyed witnessing the effort from students, the fierce competition, as well as the camaraderie and support the students showed each other.
It has been a phenomenal start to Term 2 and it's hard to believe that all of these events have happened within the past three weeks. My pride in the students continues to grow and grow each day.
Having worked in a number of large city schools in the past, I have never seen the volume and quality of so many school events in such a short period of time or the surge in parental attendance and community involvement in our recent events. We can always continue to improve our events but I think it is equally important to acknowledge when we have done things well.
I feel the events of the past three weeks have demonstrated that we are heading in the right direction and we can be proud of so much, most importantly our incredibly well-rounded, wonderful students.
From the Deputy Principal and Head of Junior School • Kelly McKay
This morning when I arrived for school, I was greeted by Kinder students joyfully playing in Autumn leaves and having the time of their lives. They were truly celebrating the change in the season and embracing the changes to their play environment. As adults we see mess and an area that needs to be tidied, whereas they only see fun and another opportunity to play.
As we make the switch to colder weather and winter uniform I would like to remind parents that if your child is out of uniform because of an issue drying clothes, please send a note or email the classroom teacher for our records. Likewise, if you have experienced difficulties sourcing uniform items from Pickles please let us know. We appreciate that it has been challenging this term.
Thank you to all of our mothers, grandmothers and special friends who joined us for our Mother’s Day Breakfast and Chapel Service. The students loved having you here and we enjoyed having an opportunity to thank you for all of the wonderful things you do for your children and for our community. I know that many of you have been volunteering for our upcoming Year 5 and 6 production of Finding Nemo Jnr. Please know your efforts are very much appreciated.
With Mrs Herbert leaving us next term to embark on her next exciting adventure, I am delighted to announce that we have appointed Mr Max Lynch as a Year 6 teacher for the rest of this year. He has been a wonderful addition to the Scots team as a Teaching Assistant but has now completed the requirements of his teaching degree. He will commence as a teacher next term and he and Mrs Herbert will team-teach for the first week before she leaves us for Maternity Leave.
I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge our Year 6 leaders this year. They have been wonderful in assisting us with both curriculum and special events. It is a privilege to watch them engage with the younger levels and I can’t help but hope that some of them go on to become teachers.
I will finish where I began. Today is simultaneous story time and our students are preparing for a scavenger hunt of blue things in celebration of the book Blue Bowerbirds. Mrs Dickins has hidden them in the Autumn Leaves. Let the fun begin!
Building a national picture of child health
From May 2024, our school, along with thousands of others across the country, will participate in the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC).
The AEDC is a teacher-completed census (similar to a questionnaire) which provides a comprehensive picture of how children have developed by the time they start their first year of full-time school. The AEDC is an Australian Government Initiative and is completed nationally every three years. Children don’t miss any class time while the AEDC is completed, and parents/carers don’t need to supply schools with any new information. The data collected through the AEDC is used by schools, communities and governments to better understand children and families’ needs, and identify the services, resources and support they need. AEDC data is reported at a school, community, state/territory and national level. AEDC results for individual children are not reported and the AEDC is not used as an individual diagnostic tool.
Some teachers have found that completing the AEDC made them more aware of the needs of individual children and their class, and that the data was useful for planning for transitions to Year 1 and developing programs. Participation in the AEDC is voluntary, however the AEDC relies on all schools with children in their first year of full-time school participating in the collection. Parents/carers don’t need to take any action unless they choose not to include their children in the census.
To find out more about the AEDC and how it is being used to help children and families visit: www.aedc.gov.au. If you have any questions, you can contact Kelly McKay or Megan Dickins at Juniorschool@scotsalbury.nsw.edu.au
Head of Senior School • Janine Haymes
We all know the adage; it takes a village to raise a child. I see our community as that village. In the Senior School we know that communication and relationship with families are paramount to ensuring that our young people get the support they need and deserve. Sometimes as our young people move through adolescence they can play it a bit cool and give the impression that they have it all under control! It is a line that we all must walk of empowering, giving space to grow and also just being there if they need. I appreciate every conversation I have with staff, students and families; clear communication is essential to keep improving.
An area that we continue to work on at school is that of uniform. We do our best to remind students of expectations when it comes to the presentation of Scots students. Scots traditionally is renowned for its uniform and the pride with which it is worn and it continues to be a focus. We ask families to assist with this and ensure that when our young people are out in the community and wearing the Scots uniform that it is the full, correct uniform.
The guidelines are clearly stated on Page 4 of the student diary and available on our website.
It is well and truly into the busy part of term, our young people are busy not only with school work but also with many community and co-curricular activities. Over the past week alone, we have had a very successful athletics carnival, where participation and attitude was exemplary. Our biathlon students represented the school with passion, aplomb and great success. These opportunities to experience new things, to display talents and to come together is what we will strive to continue to offer.
Scots big part of life after football
Life after football is turning out better than Max Lynch had dared hope.
He’s months away from being officially eligible to teach, he’s returned to his hometown where he has been welcomed with open arms and he has rekindled a love of soccer that has been put on the backburner for more than a decade.
At the age of 25, Max is no longer an AFL footballer.
But it no longer haunts him the way it did when an AFL Independent Medical Concussion Panel told him in August last year he had to quit.
He has surprised himself how readily he has settled into Albury life. What he initially thought would be a couple of months layover before he and his long time partner, Issy, moved overseas has turned into a permanency he hasn’t experienced for some time.
He joined the Scots staff as a Teachers’ Aide in Term 1 and Issy joined a local clinic as their senior chiropractor; both finding a new passion for their careers and the desire to fully establish themselves here.
For Max, teaching has been an elusive, and almost mythical, aspiration.
He has been studying a Bachelor of Education for eight years as part of an Elite Athletes Program at La Trobe University in Bundoora. Next semester he becomes eligible to take over a classroom and will have a single subject to complete in 2025, when he will finally finish his studies.
“It feels like it's taken forever,” Max said. “I just want to get into the classroom now and start teaching. I was always told by my parents that I’d be a good teacher and I love helping people so when I got early entry and I didn’t really know what else I wanted to do, I decided that was what I’d do. And, the AFL system encourages you to have something other than footy in your life.”
Through his studies and as a teacher’s aide, he has discovered a real love for teaching the youngest of our learners. It’s the wonder with which they approach everything that inspires him.
“My preference is teaching Kindergarten to Year 2,” Max explained. “I like the idea that everything you teach them is for the first time. Nothing excites someone more than the first time they learn it and their excitement brings me out of my shell.”
Max is at Scots three days a week, studying university full time and works for his uncle in his landscaping business a couple of days a week. He is coaching an under-18 O&M interleague footy team and playing soccer on the weekends.
He admits to being a “little bit” competitive on the soccer pitch and has to modify his expectations but he is able to get his adrenalin rush through mountain biking and motorcycles.
Performing Arts • Chris Torok
Finding Nemo
Momentum is building as students and staff prepare the stage for our Junior Production of Finding Nemo; this much-anticipated event has everyone swimming with excitement! The students have been working incredibly hard, not only memorising their lines and perfecting their performances but also learning about the various elements that make a production come together.
In addition to rehearsals, students enjoyed a special dress-up fundraiser day with the theme of Under the Sea, which was a huge success and added an extra layer of fun to the preparations. It was wonderful to see everyone’s creativity and enthusiasm on full display.
As we approach the production week, we encourage all parents and families to check Scotty for detailed information regarding rehearsal times, performance schedules and costume and makeup requirements. Ensuring that everyone is well-prepared will help make the performances run smoothly and allow the students to shine on stage.
Don’t forget to buy your tickets for the show on Thursday 30 May or Friday 31 May.
The Australian National Virtual Debating Competition has commenced and our Scots Junior and Senior teams are busily doing their research and preparing their speeches for the upcoming debates. This competition is an excellent opportunity for our students to develop their critical thinking, public speaking and teamwork skills. The rigorous preparation involves extensive research, practice sessions and mock debates, all of which help our students to hone their arguments and delivery.
Senior students have been exemplary in volunteering their time to assist the junior teams in their first season. It’s heartening to see such a strong sense of community and collaboration among our students.
We wish all our students the best of luck for their debating season! We look forward to seeing their progress and achievements in the competition - stay tuned for updates on their performance as the season progresses.
Freaky Friday
We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the students who worked tirelessly and rose to the occasion to put on an incredible production of Freaky Friday. The dedication and hard work of everyone involved were evident in each performance. The shows were well attended, including a fully-booked Community Matinee, and we've received excellent feedback from families, friends and local theatre and music professionals. Special recognition goes to our leads, Clare Barry and Matilda Player, who also enjoyed the opportunity to engage in media coverage on Channel 7, The Border Mail and ABC Radio.
This production wouldn't have been possible without the tremendous efforts of the entire production team, volunteer helpers, and students including the cast, dancers, musicians, tech crew, and stagehands. Well done to everyone involved!
If you would like to share any thoughts or feedback for future productions, please contact Mr Chris Torok ctorok@scotsalbury.nsw.edu.au.
I would like to begin by expressing my gratitude to all the students for their efforts in making the day successful. The high participation rate was pleasing as was everyone's commitment to achieving their personal best. The House spirit was vibrant and many teachers noticed students readily offering to help with additional tasks. A special thank you goes to all the teachers who worked tirelessly throughout the day, many without breaks. Below is a list of our high achievers and the overall results.
Age Champions and Runners-up
Ruby Cardwell Girls - 12 / 13 Years Champion Amelia Glover Girls - 12 / 13 Years Runner-up Champion Thomas Toepfer Boys - 12 / 13 Years Champion Ollie Cardile Boys - 12 / 13 Years Runner-up Champion Winnie Monaghan Girls - 14 Years Champion Jenna Dickins Girls - 14 Years Runner-up Champion Thomas Mack Boys - 14 Years Champion Henry Miller Boys - 14 Years Runner-up Champion Lucy Bolton Girls - 15 Years Champion Grace Brown Girls - 15 Years Runner-up Champion Jack Plowman Boys - 15 Years Champion Thomas Sheather Boys - 15 Years Runner-up Champion Sara Butko Girls - 16 Years Champion Alexandra Gniel Girls - 16 Years Runner-up Champion Finn McDonnell Boys - 16 Years Champion Aiden Nicolson Boys - 16 Years Runner-up Champion Georgina Sockett Girls - 17 Years Champion Hayley Whitsed Girls - 17 Years Runner-up Champion Fred Jackson Boys - 17 Years Champion Oliver Corbally Stourton Boys - 17 Years Runner-up Champion Emmy Williams Girls - Senior Champion Tessa Howden Girls - Senior Runner-up Champion William Maguire Boys - Senior Champion Brock Holder Boys - Senior Runner-up Champion
Congratulations to Wilson House on being the overall champions for this year.
On Monday, 13th May, 50 Scots students traveled to Narrandera Racecourse for the 2024 BISSA Cross Country Carnival. We had an amazing day, with outstanding individual performances and high participation numbers, leading to 4 Age Champions, 11 Podium Finishers, and the Schools Aggregate Trophy. The school finished 2nd overall for the carnival.
Well done to Ella Maguire and Charlotte Packer who recently trialled for All Schools selection in Sydney. From all reports the trials were of high intensity and skill level. Both girls have learnt a lot from the experience.
NSWPSSA Boys AFL Championships - Albury
Fergus Glass is currently participating in the NSWPSSA Boys AFL Championships in Albury. We congratulate him on being selected for this prestigious competition and look forward to putting in a more detailed report once the carnival has concluded.
Senior Girls AFL Gala Day
A combination of Year 10-12 students made the short journey to Xavier High for the Senior Girls AFL Gala Day on Wednesday 8th May. Many of the girls had been training hard since halfway through Term 1. A special thanks to Skye for the huge effort in leading the girls' program and to the other leaders, including Bianca and Poppy MK, who did a fantastic job assisting with training. The girls had a great day, displaying courage, teamwork and effort throughout. Below are the results from the games.
Game 1: Xavier (40) defeated Scots (6). Best Players: Romy Beazley, Bianca Sparkes, Jazmine Collier, Georgie Ledger, Hayley Bennett. Goals: Bianca Sparkes Game 2: Scots (14) drew with St. Paul’s (14). Best Players: Hayley Whitsed, Sara Butko, Skye Pretty-Powell, Lucy Bolton, Georgia Perkins, Romy Beazley. Goals: Sara Butko, Kaylee Rule. Game 3: Trinity (20) defeated Scots (1). Best Players: Sara Butko, Hayley Whitsed, Skye Pretty-Powell, Kaylee Rule. Game 4: Scots (25) defeated Albury High (8). Best Players: Bianca Sparkes, Skye Pretty-Powell, Hayley Whitsed, Poppy Millgate-Kimball, Lucy Bolton, Kaylee Rule. Goals: Bianca Sparkes (2), Hayley Whitsed, Romy Beazley.
Under-15 Girls AFL Gala Day
The Under-15 squad took the field at Xavier High on Tuesday 14 May. This team was filled with determined and athletic students. Not many play football outside of school, but they are always willing to give it their best. They had a tough first fixture against Xavier and put up a spirited performance, but the experience of the Xavier girls prevailed in the end. The second game of the day was much more enjoyable, with our girls piling on a heap of goals and winning by a whopping 100 points! Well done on an enjoyable day, girls!
Game 1: Xavier 93 defeated Scots 0. Best Players: Charlotte Packer, Edwina Harrington, Lilah Brunt, Sybil Triggs, Sally Bayne, Maisey Player. Game 2: Scots 100 defeated Corowa 0. Best Players: Charlotte Packer, Sybil Triggs, Jenna Dickins, Winnie Monaghan, Maisey Player, Sally Bayne. Goals: Maisey Player (2), Zoe Vines (2), Jenna Dickins (2), Lily Malone (2), Sybil Triggs, Hattie Nickols, Edwina Harrington, Lilah Brunt, Charlotte Packer.
Football • Peter Schneider
Scots footballers had a two-win, two-loss day out at the under-15 AFL Gala Day at Lavington on Wednesday 15 May.
In Game 1, Scots lost in a very close contest with Xavier B. In Game 2, the team lost to Xavier A in a quality contest, but they were far too good. But then Scots turned it around and won the next two games; Game 3 was a 10-goal win over St Pauls College and in Game 4, it was a two-goal win over Trinity Anglican College. Hugo Howard had a stand-out day, kicking six majors, while other exceptional players on the day included Harry McDonald, Thomas Mack, Mac Correll, Tom Sheather and Hunter Smith.
In the Senior Boys AFL Gala Day at Lavington on Wednesday 8 May, the Scots team came away with two wins from three games:
Game 1: Xavier defeated Scots 39-15. Goals: Oscar Clelland (2). Game 2: Scots defeated St Pauls College 28-11. Goals: Will Dickins, Alex Smythe, Oscar Clelland, Charlie Baxter. Game 3: Scots defeated Trinity 28-20. Goals: Jock Correll, Fred Jackson, Oscar Clelland (2).
Best players for the Gala Day: Harvey Correll, Cal Cooper, Will Maguire, Ollie Hutchins, Charlie Baxter, Drew Cameron, Oscar Clelland, Ted Williams and Charles James.
Sol Padel • Douglas Agar
Scots sent a team of eight Year 8 students to compete in the local schools’ championship at Sol Padel in Thurgoona on Friday 10 May. Despite being the youngest squad there on the day, our students competed well and held their own against older opposition.
The highlight of the day was the team of Poppy Smith and Sybil Triggs, which won all four matches, while Hugo Howard and Harry McDonald won two of their three.
All of the students selected should be commended for their attitude and approach on the day.
Biathlon • Roger Barrows
Scots secured the Junior Girls title and finished second in both the Senior Boys and Senior Girls at the Biathlon Interschool competition, attended by more than 100 students from six schools, last week.
Ella Smith and Elisabeth Klingner spearheaded the Scots team of 27 students, when they took out the Junior title ahead of Georgie Smith and Ollie Geppert, who finished third in the same category. Brock Holder and Bailey Coulston led the charge in the Senior Boys, finishing second just ahead of Jack Plowman and Will Douglas. In the Senior girls, Beccy Plowman and Anouk Plowman were second just ahead of Maddie Perkins and Heather Joyce.
Jimmy Shannon was the best performer in the boys target shooting with 22s. He finished fourth in the Topshots with Bailey Coulston in sixth place. Anouk Plowman was second in the girls Topshots.
The hockey season is now well and truly under way, with Seniors having played seven rounds and Juniors five. Our Under-7s and Under-10s have grown to be one of the largest programs in the association and they are making excellent progress under their coach Erin Newton. There will be a Bring a Friend Day for these age-groups tomorrow, Saturday 25 May. See the attached flyer for details.
This season, in order to keep a boys’ team in the club, we have entered a team in the Under-16s competition. This will be a development year for the squad, but the club is extremely fortunate and grateful that Leigh Foulston has stepped in to take over this team and build on the excellent couple of years’ work by previous coach Jeremy Ross. Leigh has an excellent hockey CV and has been a member of the HAW Spitfires representative squad for a number of years, playing more than 100 games for the association. A number of opposition clubs have commended Leigh and his players for their positive approach to the game in the early part of the season and the club looks forward to watching their skills and playing-style develop as the season progresses.
Our Under-14 Girls have played only two matches at time of writing, but their new coach Charlotte Dean (Year 12) has worked incredibly hard to incorporate a large number of new players and get them playing her style of hockey. Our Under-16 Girls and Division 3 Women have both started the season quite well and currently each sits second in their respective divisions. Both teams will be looking to build on these starts as we approach the middle third of the season.
Library • Alley McKeon
Books Are Not Just For Bedtime
Author, Eleanor Pearson, visited Scots at the end of last term to read and present her book Books Are Not Just for Bedtime. Eleanor kindly donated two of her books for the classes she took as prizes for a competition. We also have a copy of Eleanor’s book in the library for borrowing. 2N: The competition was to draw your favourite place to read. The drawings were fabulous and created to a very high standard. The winner was Sebastian Smit with a colourful drawing of his bedroom. Highly commended was Andy Barber (a rollercoaster), and Lochan Magarahan (a tree). There were a lot of beautiful entries from this class. Well done! 5Z: These students had to write a small passage about their favourite places to read and then do a small illustration. Adelaide Phillips won this section, writing about how she likes to stay inside on a cold day, listening to the rain and reading a good book. Alyssa Chunguwa also wrote a fun story about escaping to a circus in space.
Chess The Chess Room has moved and is bigger and better than ever! We have more space and a great wall reflecting historic moments in “chess life” at Scots. Junior school chess is in full swing and there have been many students over playing matches in preparation for the NSW JCL Primary school event that will be held on June 19th. More information will follow when final selections are made for these teams at the end of next week.
Lego The old chess room is the new Lego room. Every Friday, Infants students engage in wonderful Lego engineering feats. Thank you to Ms Ward and Mrs Robertson for creating this exciting new club.
Students in Years 10-12 had the opportunity to complete their White Card certification recently. White Cards are required for construction work and the course provides the necessary knowledge and skills for safe navigation within the construction industry, covering topics such as occupational health and safety and safety regulations, risk management principles and hazard notification practices.
Careers Expo
Scots will host the Albury Wodonga Careers Expo in Chapel Hall on Thursday 13 June and Friday 14 June.
This gives Senior Students from Scots and other local schools the opportunity to speak to universities, employment agencies, industry associations, TAFEs, private training providers and other organisations from around VIC, ACT and NSW to learn more about post-school/future careers and education.
There are a very limited number of exhibitor spaces remaining. If you’re a local business owner interested in providing career paths for graduates, please contact Katie Friedlieb from Training Services NSW at katie.friedlieb@det.nsw.edu.au
Host a Japanese student
Scots families have the opportunity to be part of an amazing intercultural experience when students in Years 7-11 from Shohei High School, our sister school in Japan, come to Scots in July and August.
Thank you to the families who have already offered to host Japanese students but we are seeking six more families to host students, who will arrive in Week 2 of Term 3. It has been five years since Shohei has been able to visit Scots but now the trip is becoming a reality. We are still seeking families with students in Years 7-11 to host one of the 22 Japanese students for a week from Sunday 28 July to Monday 5 August. You do not have to be a language student to participate in this opportunity.
It is a wonderful opportunity to share your home and family life with a new Japanese friend. It also is a very special opportunity to learn about Japan and what life is like in their country from a Japanese national. Friendships and connections for life will be forged - you will have someone to visit when you go to Japan! As volunteer hosts, you will be supported by the school in every way during this time. We value your help greatly and without your generosity we would not be able to provide this amazing intercultural experience for our students.
We ask you to complete the online form to register as a host family as soon as possible but no later than Friday 31 May. We will have further communications with families once we have matched your family with a visiting student.
- Jacqui Salinger and Tamara Neilson, Japanese Teachers.
Transition to new uniform supplier
We are delighted that school uniform specialist, Noone, commences as Scots Uniform supplier from Monday 8 July 2024.
Established in 1947, Noone specialises in the design, manufacture and retail management of uniforms for many leading schools across Australia including Cranbrook School, Haileybury, and Scotch College. While the look of the current uniform will remain unchanged, we have been thrilled with the improvement in material, fit and manufacturing quality that Noone offers.
We are currently working with the current supplier, Pickles, to manage the transition. Pickles has advised that they require amended hours during the transition and will staff the on-campus uniform shop as follows:
Monday 27 May: 8-11.30am and 2-4pm Wednesday 29 May: 8-11.30am and 2-4pm Wednesday 5 June: 8-11.30am and 2-4pm Friday 7 June: 2-4pm Wednesday 12 June: 8-11.30am Friday 14 June: 2-4pm (Pickles' last day in-store)
Online orders only: 17-21 June Online orders close: Sunday 23 June Closed for stocktake: 24-28 June (NB: no access to uniforms available)
Noone commences trade on Monday 8 July
In the lead-up to the transition, Pickles is offering a 25% discount* off all remaining stock, both in-store and online from Monday 27 May - Friday 14 June 2024. *TERMS & CONDITIONS: sale applies to purchases of current stock only • no refunds • no exchanges • no rainchecks • only while stock lasts
We are aware of the current supply issues with larger-size blazers and girls' winter socks - Noone is looking at expediting the delivery of these items, and we will update you when we have an expected delivery date. Thanks for your continued patience as we make this important change. Any issues can be flagged to marketing@scotsalbury.nsw.edu.au
Student achievements
Hockey
Scots students had success at the U14 State Hockey Championships! Jobe, Angus (Year 7) and Archie (Year 8) competed for Albury/Wodonga at the Championships earlier this month. Archie captained the team to the No.1 spot on the podium in Division Four.
Jenna, Lily and Winnie (Year 8) played in Division Three and came third overall.
Water Polo
Tait Bartlett, Duke Wilkerson and Will Brooks (all Year 6) have been selected in the Water Polo Victoria State Squad to compete at the National 13 and under Development Carnival in Hobart in early July. The boys have been travelling to Melbourne every weekend to train with the State squad.
Equestrian
Members of the Scots Equestrian Team shone brightly at the annual Man from Snowy River Bush Festival in Corryong recently. Sybil Triggs and Ollie Geppert (both Year 8) competed in the Striplings category of the Man From Snowy River Challenge while Sarah Parry (Year 11) was an official flag bearer throughout the four-day festival.
Sybil and Ollie competed in the bareback obstacle, fitness and gear, cross country, packhorse, whip crack and dry work pattern. Sybil won the cross country and bareback to finish in sixth place overall. Ollie was equal first in the fitness and gear as well as the cross country to finish in eighth place overall.
Class of 2023 student Sid John has been awarded the 2024 AlburyCity Medical Scholarship - a $5000 boost to his first-year medical studies at the University of New South Wales Rural Clinical Campus in Port Macquarie.
It’s been a whirlwind few months for Sid, who had a most unlikely pathway into medicine.
Like many Year 12 students, Sid was quite unsure of what he wanted to do in life. The only thing he knew was that he didn’t want to follow in his father's footsteps to study medicine.
He was so sure, that he dropped Chemistry in Year 12.
Instead, he decided he wanted to join the RAAF. He and his father, Ajay, were keen on recreational flying and Sid was a student pilot at the Gliding Federation of Victoria all through Year 12. But when his application to RAAF was rejected due to his poor eyesight, he was forced to consider the less palatable option of commercial flying.
Utterly dejected, he decided to sit the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT), to give himself more career options. He also applied for a Bachelor of Aviation and when he was selected he was reconciled to the idea of commercial flying. He nearly did not attend his medical interview at the Clinical school because he felt he wouldn’t get in anyway.
Then, a day before he was to leave for UNSW Sydney to join the Aviation course, he received a life-changing phone call - an offer into Medicine and three hours to respond! His parents encouraged him to follow his heart. They felt it was providence that he had opted to sit the UCAT despite a year focussed only on Aviation.
So Sid opted for Medicine as a “trial” with the knowledge that Aviation was always there if he didn’t like the medical studies. Fortunately, he is loving it.
The AlburyCity scholarship program was established through the Rural Clinical School of Medicine in 2007 to assist first year medical students from Albury studying at the University of New South Wales. The aim of the program is to encourage doctors to return to regional communities where their skills are desperately needed once they have completed their studies.
Awesome community vibe at Border Music Camp
Scots students James Morris and Zoe Coughlan agree the secret of the success of the Border Music Camp – now in its 48th year at Scots – is its strong community of like-minded and passionate musicians.
James, 17 (Year 11) has been attending the BMC since he was in Year 5 and Zoe, 17, Year 12, will have her third BMC experience since moving to Albury and Scots in 2022, when the camp runs in the Term 2 school holidays, from July 7 to 13 2024.
A keen pianist and singer, James played flute at his first camp before switching to viola. In fact, he took up viola for the sole purpose of being able to attend the camp because he hated the flute and BMC doesn’t cater for pianists.
“There are some really awesome tutors and it is so inspiring to work with people who are so passionate about music and excited to be involved in the camp,” James said.
Even though James’ first love is singing – and he has been offered a place in the Gondwana Choirs European tour in September – James always prioritises BMC over all other musical commitments for that wonderful week in July.
“I like being part of a group and making music. It’s fun to contribute to something bigger and I make new friends every year as well as catching up with friends I only see once a year at camp. Early on, I made friends with a girl from Darwin and now it’s a great reunion when she comes back to camp each year. People come from all over; imagine coming from Darwin to little old Albury. Wild!”
Zoe stepped outside her comfort zone at her first camp to do 1st violin but found the environment so supportive that she overcame her nervousness about performing.
“People don’t judge a lot at Border Music Camp,” Zoe said. “Everyone is there because they love music and it’s natural to make mistakes as you are working to improve. No one makes fun of you though, which can happen in schools.”
The appeal of the Border Music Camp is that it caters to novices as well as expert musicians and organisers say it has the power to fast-track a student’s musical progress by roughly half a year in just one week due to the total immersion.
It is a week-long residential and day camp hosted at Scots for around 200 musicians of all ages. Musicians play in one of six large ensembles: Davis Symphony Orchestra (AMEB Grade 5 +), Alexander Wind Ensemble (AMEB Grade 5 +), Hardie Wind Ensemble (AMEB Grade 2 to Grade 4), Newman String Ensemble (AMEB Grade 2 to Grade 4), Pringle Wind Ensemble (beginners to AMEB Grade 2) and Cran String Ensemble (beginners to AMEB Grade 2).
Students participate in large ensemble sessions (including wind, strings and orchestra), engage in elective workshops (covering strings, percussion, brass and more), sing in a massed choir, experience nightly concerts where students and staff play together, and culminate their experience with two public concerts showcasing their achievement.
More information: www.bordermusiccamp.org.au
RYPEN
Audrey Haymes was among a group of five Year 10 Scots students who had the opportunity to hone their leadership skills at the annual Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment (RYPEN) at the Valley Homestead in Ovens last weekend.
Audrey, Amelie Bonhote, Lilly Baranyay, Amy Campagna and Aliera Tucker participated in a range of activities over the weekend-long residential program, aimed at students who have the potential to be tomorrow's leaders, but who may need a little extra confidence or an opportunity to hone their personal skills.
Audrey said the weekend was a great chance to meet students from other schools with a common goal of building confidence. The students were involved in action and listening leadership along with being challenged to complete a range of tasks, requiring the students to come up with a strategy to achieve their goal.
"I don't think of myself as a leader because I'm pretty quiet," Audrey said. "But this program gave me confidence that I can talk in front of people; that I can come up with good ideas that people want to listen to. Leadership was never my thing because I was afraid of putting myself out there. But now I know I can do it."
Audrey's love of all things in the Arts has now prompted her to consider working towards a leadership position in the Arts.
The program is delivered in a fun and challenging way by incorporating a wide range of physical and mental activities that include both indoor and outdoor creative challenges, all in an active and social environment.
RYPEN focuses on a range of practices including making responsible decisions, establishing achievable goals and it encourages students to develop their skills in:
