From Deputy Principal and Head of Junior School • Kelly McKay
We have had another exciting week in the Junior School with the weather favouring us for our Cross Country and the final touches being made on Shrek the Musical. I would like to thank the many parents who came out and supported their children on Thursday at Cross Country.
I look forward to seeing the mothers, grandmothers and special friends at our Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea on Thursday. Our students have been busy in Art preparing for this day.
I apologise for the difficulties we have been experiencing with our App. We are also emailing information at the moment while we remedy the current situation.
Co-curricular has really kicked off again in the Junior School with Skateboarding starting next week for the Year 3 & 4 students and Auskick for ages 5-12 commencing on Thursday 18 May on Gillespie Oval. Mrs Newton is also running Hockey sessions for Junior School this term so keep an eye out for more information.
From Head of Senior School • Janine Haymes
What a start to Term 2!
We started the Term with the community coming together for ANZAC Day. It was wonderful to see a great turnout at the Albury march; our Year 9s marching behind the 2/23rd Battalion flag, led by our 2nd 23rd Battalion Ambassador, Imogen Ziebarth. Again, our Pipe Band did an amazing job by leading the schools down Dean Street. Thank you to all those students, staff and families who made the effort to join us on this national day of commemoration.
In more news on the Pipe Band, many of our students had an amazing weekend in Melbourne at the Haileybury Solo Piping and PLC Solo Drumming contest. Congratulations to all of the students competing; there were some magnificent individual results, with first places, in a variety of events, for Liam Nicolson, Jonny Coe, Saxon Coffey, Damon Wright, Josh Niuila, Eddie Butko and Arifa Rizvi. Thank you to Scott Nicolson and Matthew Patching for accompanying the students down the freeway for another great weekend. This is all wonderful preparation for the ever-closer Edinburgh Tattoo.
It was my pleasure to spend the past weekend at school working with a committed group of staff and students for the Shrek sitzprobe. A musical is a feat of hard work, passion and agility and this was all on display, as the individual components came together for the first time. Shrek the Musical is on next week and is shaping up to be a great one; I encourage you to get your tickets and enjoy our Showcase Musical.
In a typical fashion, the cold snap arrived just in time for the Senior School cross country. Thank you to Tim Kennedy for his organisation and coordination of a successful event and thank you to the student leaders who helped on the day.
With the change in weather, comes a change in attire. Students are now expected to wear their full winter uniform; this includes wearing the blazer as the outer garment to and from school. Having the correct uniform is essential to our photo day which is coming up next Thursday, May 11. Families should have received information about how to order photos. If you have any questions please reach out to your child's Learning Mentor.
We have many events planned for the next couple of weeks, this coming weekend we have the Scots Equestrian Interschool Challenge. It is always a wonderful weekend and many of our students are excited to be participating in the event. Thank you to Rowena Newcomen and her team for all their work and organisation of the event. Over the weekend, please feel free to come down to the Albury Equestrian Centre and support our riders. Best of luck to all competitors.
From our Chaplain • Simon Goss
The Good Shepherd
One of the commemorative addresses given at this year’s dawn service in Gallipoli this year begins:
“As we gather here today, we are reminded of the bravery and self-sacrifice of the unarmed medical staff belonging to both sides of the battlefield - the courage and determination of which we would describe as being the first responders.
“They helped friend and foe alike with a great humanity and care. Among the many who demonstrated outstanding courage during the ANZAC landing of April 25th, 1915 were the doctors and stretcher bearers of the ANZAC Medical Corps.
“They risked everything to reach the wounded in the firing line. Private Phillip Bennett, one of the men rescued, later recalled how “nothing was too hard for them, no spot too dangerous! They had no rifles, and they knew that neither their work nor their red crosses on their arms were any protection, yet still they laboured on, night and day, it made no difference.
“I have seen bearers drop from sheer exhaustion and fatigue but never a word of complaint - a short spell, and they were at it again getting out some poor beggar.
More than a century after the battle we remain quite properly in awe at how extraordinary people put aside their fears and found such reserves of courage and endurance. Their example should inspire us all to try in whatever way we can to make the world a place in which no one has to endure the kind of suffering and torment that saturated this now-peaceful Cove in 1915.”
The central reading in today’s Bible story is that of the shepherd. Jesus is the good shepherd who is prepared to lay down his life for his sheep. And the sheep listen to the voice of the shepherd.
Behind this image is the figure of the first century Palestinian shepherd. This shepherd knew his sheep well, and gave names to each animal the same way we give names to our own pets.
By night, shepherds found refuge in sheep folds, simple enclosures consisting of a stone wall but only one entrance. Having ushered their flocks into this sheepfold, the shepherds slept across the entrance. deterring bandits or marauding beasts at the risk of their own lives. At sunrise, each shepherd would stand at the entrance, With his own distinctive call, the shepherd would summon the sheep. The sheep would recognise the call of their shepherd, and follow him and him alone.
Australian psychologist and social commentator, Hugh Mackay, once wrote a book called “Why Don’t People Listen?” where he speaks, not of a sheepfold, but a cage. The cage is our world view, forged from all our memories and experiences of life. We are both a product and a prisoner of our experiences. Our cage gives us a much-needed framework for making sense of the world around us.
We store, organise, and learn from each of our previous experiences, and that helps us to understand and cope with life. To take one example, could you imagine trying to cross a busy road without having learned from all your previous experiences of crossing the road?
We are engaged in a life-long process of building personal cages around ourselves. The bars of the cages are all the things that life has taught us: our knowledge, our attitudes, our values, our beliefs, our convictions. As the cage becomes stronger and more complex, we feel increasingly more comfortable inside it, and increasingly confident in our ability to cope with the world beyond the cage.
It’s secure in the enclosure, the sheepfold, the cage: we are safe from danger. We are given rest, nourishment and protection.
Yet the voice of the shepherd calls us away from the confines we feel safe in. Renewed in strength, confidence and purpose, we are summoned to follow Christ with the purpose to help others, to make the world a place where no one has to live in suffering and torment.
Mackay maintains that listening, rather than simply hearing, requires courage, because it requires us to be open to alternative views and opinions, a deep concern for the needs of others, and the capacity to trust the urgings of our better instincts.
Are we prepared to take risks to reach those around us who are hurting, lonely, afraid? At what point are we prepared to lay ourselves down to protect others from the harm of the world? It is through listening, being prepared to have our own cages rattled that we can hear the familiar voice of the One calling us to follow his simple message: love one another. There is nothing as simple or as difficult as that.
From Head of Pedagogy • Megan Dickins
At Scots we provide learning opportunities for our students through the teaching outcomes of the NSW curriculum. Even in the junior school where the IB PYP philosophy is used to reach these outcomes.
In the past few years there has been a critical review into these syllabus with changes being implemented from this year. The aims of the new curriculum neatly aligns to our school strategic plan of that every student will be prepared and ready for their future
The new curriculum will give students more time to focus on key learning areas so that they can acquire a deeper understanding of central concepts. It will ensure students develop strong foundations for learning, life and work in a complex and fast-changing world.
The roll out for these syllabi has been as follows:
2022 K–2 English and Mathematics syllabuses
2023 3–10 English and Mathematics syllabuses
2024 K–10 curriculum
2025 11–12 curriculum
Staff at Scots have been attending professional learning online and in person to ensure that we are well equipped to deliver the new content. We are fortunate to have two teachers, Shelley Byrt (JS) and Douglas Agar (SS), who have represented us on the state-wide teacher expert networks (TENs) to ensure that the new curriculum connects with practice and works well in the classroom.
Should you wish to know more about the reforms, please visit the site below or have a chat with your child’s teacher.
From the Library • Alley McKeon
Anzac Day
In junior school classes last week, we read stories of the ANZACs and completed tasks to remind us why this day is so important in the history of Australia. One of the books we read was ‘The Poppy’ written and illustrated by Andrew Plant. Andrew is also the wonderful creator of the fabulous sets for our production of Shrek. In ‘The Poppy’, Andrew writes about the town of Villers-Bretonneux, and the relationship forged between Australia and France to rebuild this village after WW1. This friendship still exists with the people of Villers-Bretonneux raising money for the primary school in Strathewen, Victoria after it was devastated by bushfires in 2009. The students enjoyed this and other stories about ANZAC Day.
Open Day
It was great to have the Library open and on display for so many visitors last week. Our Library Prefect, Emily Borrell did a wonderful job of showing everyone around and explaining the “ins and outs” of library life.
Junior School Chess
Two Chess teams from the Junior School participated in the Albury zone of the Riverina Championships this week. In the championship league, we were represented by, Oscar Kennedy, Ben Garvin, Tom Cavagna and Reggie Dyordyevic. In the Intermediate section, we had Jobe Warner, Jack Ross, Reuben Hunt, Charlie Barber and Eddie Greenhill. All students performed exceptionally well, some in their first ever chess competition.
Our championship team won the competition in the last match of the day with a come from behind win. They will go on to represent Albury in the next stage of the tournament in June.
A huge thank you to Billy Stewart from Year 9 who came with us as our coach. Billy was a great source of inspiration to both of our teams, and he also assisted with official duties, helping the Albury Chess Club in adjudicating.
Senior School Chess
The Senior Chess team also competed in the second round of the NSW Chess League competition on Wednesday. We hosted Border Christian College here in the Library. Our team of Billy Stewart, Oliver Baitch, Ty Salter and Josh Niuila were successful and will now progress to the next round of the competition.
Ty and Oliver played exceptional matches. Ty played for 30 minutes against a strong opponent and Oliver played for an amazing 45 minutes against his opponent. A fabulous effort by these two and the whole team.
Chess
Chess is available in the Chess Room every day at lunch and recess for Senior School players and every Friday for Junior School players. Come and join in the success of this wonderful sport.
New Texts
We have had new books arrive in the last fortnight. Junior school picture books and novels and a new class set of ‘Trash’ for Year 7 to enjoy in English lessons in Term 4.
Thank you to Jane van der Vliet for assisting with the covering of our new books.
International recognition for Head of Pedagogy
Scots Head of Pedagogy Megan Dickins challenged educators to find better ways to engage students during her presentation at the Deep Learning Lab statewide conference in Sydney in October last year and impressed everyone so much that she has been invited to present at a conference in the US last month.
It was a rare privilege to be selected: only 60 people worldwide were invited to submit a proposal and then only 25 made the final speakers’ list for the conference Global Deep Learning Lab 2023 in Anaheim, California.
Ms Dickins was joined by internationally renown guest speakers Michael Fullan and Joanne Quinn as well as speakers from New Zealand, the US, Uruguay and Canada.
Her session was filmed and will be used across the globe in a professional development package.
The presentation that caught the eye of conference organisers in Sydney was Ms Dickins’ novel approach to teaching geography. Ms Dickins told her Sydney-based workshop audience to complete a worksheet on the weather in silence for the first 5 minutes.
Then she transformed the room with an acting performance worthy of an Oscar. She donned a raincoat and carried an umbrella, used a water sprayer and smoke machine for effects, stood in front of a green screen with video of the Dartmouth Dam spilling in all its glory and read from a teleprompter app all in the guise of a TV reporter giving an account of the weather.
Her aim was to show fellow educators how easy it can be to present the same information in a format that engages and delights.
As Head of Pedagogy, Ms Dickins investigates best methods and practices for teacher delivery here at Scots. She is part of a professional network of teachers within the Association of Independent Schools which focuses on pedagogical outcomes in NSW schools. Team Leads from the group meet online twice a term and occasionally in-person at conferences such as this.
Her Sydney conference presentation focussed on research that “sticky learning moments cause a neurological chemical reaction that forms and stores long-term memories” and she was able to draw on her vast knowledge of the NSW curriculum.
“I honestly think that the curriculum is one thing, but being able to walk out of school with a toolkit that you can apply to any situation is so much better,” Ms Dickins said. “If kids can take what they learn into the real world, then we’ve done our job.”
With a change in the curriculum due in 2024, Mrs Dickins is mindful that teachers need to work in depth on one unit rather than spread themselves thinly across everything - much of which could potentially change in little over a year.
Once teachers have embedded the philosophy into one unit, they will be able to apply it much more easily across all units after the curriculum change.
“My message to teachers is that if we create a good learning environment in the first 10mins of a class you can engage the students.
Mrs Dickins’ presentation embodied the “whole picture” of teaching: she used a range of different techniques including modern technology: a green screen, Zoom and a teleprompter app all helped to complete the picture.
“What I tried to convey in my presentation was that it can be easy to embed these things into your teaching. Learning should be engaging. Kids should want to come to your classroom.”
Senior Study Centre • Break Ground event
On behalf of the Scots Community Foundation, we hosted a break ground event for the new Senior Study Centre and used the occasion to recognise honorary members of the Foundation.
Held on the future site of the Senior Study Centre, the gathering of around 30 guests included Mr Justin Clancy MP - Member for Albury, and members of the Scots community who have generously supported the development of the School over the years.
The evening concluded with drinks and canapes in the Quad.
Shrek the Musical
Tickets to our 2023 Showcase Production – Shrek the Musical - are available now. Come along to see our talented students perform in one of three fun-filled shows:
Friday 12 May @ 7pm
Saturday 13 May @ 2pm
Saturday 13 May @ 7pm
Don't forget to bring along a gold coin to purchase a program.
Call for Volunteers • Wednesday Community Matinee
The community matinee is a tradition at Scots for the annual Showcase Musical - bringing together local senior citizens and school groups and enabling our student cast to showcase their hard work. The Community Matinee is on Wednesday 10 May and assistance is required from 9.45am-1.00pm.
Roles on the day include: parking attendants, assistants to walk and seat senior citizens, giving directions to groups as they arrive and depart, setting up morning tea and delivering refreshments to senior citizens.
If you do come along to assist, you are more than welcome to stay and watch the show at no charge.
If you wish to volunteer to assist on the day, please contact marketing@scotsalbury.nsw.edu.au
Whisky & Gin Ceilidh • 17 June
Ceilidh noun
Scotland and Ireland
a party with music, dancing, and often storytelling
The Scots School Albury Community Foundation invites you to attend its major fundraising evening for 2023.
The evening will feature Whisky and Gin tastings, live music, a four-course fine dining experience celebrating local chefs using regional seasonal produce and high-end tastings from our Whisky & Gin sponsors • Essence of Harrogate.
Ticket price includes a tasting of four whiskies or four gins, or a mix of both if you can't pick your tipple, a four-course meal and entertainment.
Gone with the Gin • Four gins
Whisky Business • Four whiskies
Shake it up • Two gins & two whiskies
Funds raised will go towards the construction of our new Junior School. Tickets are strictly limited. New venue: SS&A Albury
Whisky or Gin Sponsorship
If you are unable to attend the evening, you can still participate by sponsoring one of the bottles of whisky or gin that will be tasted on the night. The cost of sponsorship is $75 per bottle of whisky or gin.
Multiple tickets can be purchased and your name will be added to the sponsors' list to appear in the program. This is a great way to contribute if you’re unable to attend the evening.
Dress: Highland Dress or Black Tie
If you wish to hire a Kilt for the evening, head to Kilt Hire Australia.
Early orders are crucial to ensure stock is available and will arrive on time. First in really will be best dressed.
Sounds of Scotland • Pipe Band Concert
Prepare to be transported straight to the rolling hills of the Scottish Highlands when The Scots School Albury Pipe Band showcases its talented musicians in its Sounds of Scotland concert in two amazing nights of iconic Scottish music.
Experience the power and majesty of the pipes and drums and be captivated by the sights and sounds of traditional Scotland: brightly-coloured tartan kilts, Scottish dancers and centuries-old Scottish songs.
From stirring marches and reels to haunting slow airs and ballads, our young musicians are ready to take you on a magical musical journey in their final performances before leaving for international competition.
Friday 14 July 7pm
Saturday 15 July 7pm
Tickets from $20
Student Achievements
Hannah Lougnan
Congratulations to Hannah Loughnan (Year 10) for her participation in the AFL under 16s National Championships held over the school holidays. Hannah was one of only 23 girls selected to play for Victoria Country in the championships.
She attended two camps at “The Hanger” Essendon and played two games during the holidays in the championships: The first against Victoria Metro, which they won and the second against Western Australia, which they unfortunately lost.
Lyla Ferrari and Mia Ennis
Congratulations to Lyla & Mia who recently competed at the Victorian State Equestrian Interschool Championships at Werribee.
Lyla and her horse, Myridersnotarockstar, placed third in the 110cm showjumping.
Mia finished 9th in the Senior Preliminary in her final interschools competition.
Mya Player
Congratulations to Mya Player (Year 9) who competed on her horse Whitelea King of Hearts at the 2023 Victorian State Pony Club Championships on the weekend. Her team won the Grade 4 section.
Grace Adams
Grace competed in the National Age Swimming Championships at the Gold Coast in April, representing the Albury Swim Club. With the best young swimmers in Australia, the competition was of a very high standard.
Grace’s 200-metre Medley Relay team placed 10th which now ranks the Albury team 10th in Australia. Grace’s individual swim in the 50-metre Backstroke has now put her in the top 50 swimmers in Australia.
Pipe Band success
The Pipe Band had some fantastic results from the solo piping and drumming contests held at Haileybury and PLC last weekend. It was big weekend for the band with two trips to Melbourne in consecutive days. Thanks Mr Patching for driving and also to Liam, George and Nico for playing for the drummers. Well done to all who competed.
Piping solo results
A grade
Liam Nicolson
1st Hornpipe & Jig
2nd Strathspey & Reel
3rd 2/4 March
4th Piobaireachd
D Grade
Jonny Coe
1st Strathspey & Reel
1st 2/4 March
1st Piobaireachd
Novice Grade
Slow air
1st Saxon Coffey
2nd Claire Abott
March
4th Saxon Coffey
5th Claire Abott
Also competing Kirsten Maclennan
Solo Drumming Results
B Grade Snare
Damon Wright
1st March Strathspey & Reel
1st Hornpipe & Jig
C Grade Snare
Josh Niuilia
1st March Strathspey & Reel
1st Hornpipe & Jig
Novice Snare
1st Eddie Butko
2nd Ewan Douglas
D Grade Tenor
1st Arifa Rizvi
World Solo Drumming Marches – Snare
1st Damon Wright
2nd Josh Niuilia
World Solo Drumming Marches – Tenor
1st Arifa Rizvi
Football
The senior boys football team played in the Bill Taylor Cup gala day at the Lavington Sports Ground on Tuesday 2 May. It was a cool, dry day – perfect for footy. The boys played well all day and displayed an excellent sporting attitude. Results for the day:
Game 1
Xavier HS d Scots 50-2.
Best players: Paddy Dunstan, Drew Cameron, Harvey and Jock Correll, Harry Dean.
Game 2
Scots d St Pauls College 44 -7.
Goals: Eligh Houston-Damic 4, Alex Tremonti, Oscar Clelland, Will Dickins.
Best players: Harry Dean, Alex Tremonti, Paddy Dunstan, Eligh Houston-Damic, Jock Correll, Harvey Correll, Oscar Clelland, Drew Cameron.
Game 3
Scots d Trinity College 61-20
Goals: Oscar Clelland 3, Alex Smythe 2, Bill Butko, Sam Scott, Harvey Correll, Dom Dunstan.
Best players: Oscar Clelland, Harvey Correll, Mackenzie Hodges.
Thank you to the team for their effort and to the parents who supported us. The coaching group included Tim Kennedy, Charles Ledger and manager, Peter Schneider. We look forward to playing in the junior gala day in two weeks.
- Peter Schneider
On Tuesday we hosted Trinity, Corowa and St Paul’s for the annual Senior Girls AFL Gala Day. Despite the cold conditions early on, there was an exciting buzz amongst the playing group. Romy Beazley kicked an impressive snap from the boundary to score our first goal. Unfortunately, we ended up losing the first game to Trinity by a goal.
Game two saw the team hitting their targets and the scoreboard. Lara Diffey, Mia Ennis and Poppy Millgate-Kimbell dominated throughout the backline. Combined with Mim Dunstan, Lily Harrison and Hayley Whitsed’s speed through the mid-field and our very own Hannah Loughnan who put on a 3 goal show for the spectators, we sealed a victory against St Paul’s.
During our final match against Corowa, Xy Beale’s booming drop punt shut down the opponents scoring opportunities and a long anticipated goal from Bianca Sparkes saw our final win for the day.
A big thank you must go out to:
- Each of the 22 players, you should be extremely proud of the determination and grit shown throughout the day.
- Our parents for their support throughout the day, especially Jason and Cam for their coaching expertise.
- AFL NSW for officiating the event.
- Last but not least, a huge thankyou to Mim Dunstan for her leadership and organisation.
- Mel Davies
Community
