From the Head of Middle School

Each year the College invites Year 5, Year 8 and Year 12 students departing from the three sub-schools to complete a satisfaction survey. One section of the survey asks students about what they valued the most from their time within each sub-school. At the top of the list for the departing Year 8 boys of what they valued the most was, perhaps not unsurprisingly, the PSA Sport Programme they had been involved in. 29% of the boys indicated this as one of their most valued aspects of Scotch life. A sense of team being one of the big elements behind their reasoning. Following close behind PSA Sport was the appreciation of the range of the co-curricular opportunities on offer during their time in Middle School. Within this, boys particularly referenced the Performing Arts; debating, drama, ensembles, bands and choir, once again the big reason was a sense of belonging, achievement, and being a part of a team.

One of the regularly occurring comments I hear from boys who have left the College and moved on to work, university or life in general is that they wished they has done more in the performing arts arena, particularly in Music or Drama. They wished they had persisted with it for a little longer and not given up because they could. For those of you who had the opportunity to go to a Fringe Festival event or the Festival of Perth over summer it was easy to see the degree of enjoyment and satisfaction performers have in being on stage and delivering their performance. The Performing Arts brings together a whole range of left and right brain usage, it fosters camaraderie and offers balance and a huge sense of enjoyment at the sheer fact of being able to participate and produce something special. I encourage you to continue to support your son in the Performing Arts, in terms of producing balanced young men, this is a very valuable path way to follow.

This Friday 9 March Scotch College opens its doors to prospective families, with an Open Day from 8:30-11.00am. Year 8 students are given the opportunity to lead guests on a tour of Middle School, answering questions and providing visitors with their experiences of Scotch to date. Some might see this as a leap of faith having students tell our story, but if you believe in developing Caring, Knowledgeable, Principled, Risk Taking, Open Minded Thinkers and Communicators, this is a great opportunity to showcase it.

Mr Richard Ledger
Head of Middle School