The Thistle - An E-Newsletter of Scotch College, Perth, Western Australia

From the Head of Junior School

Significant Accomplishments and Personal Bests

The last two weeks in the Junior School have been very special. We have provided the boys the opportunity to challenge themselves and compete in both the academic and sporting arenas.

In Week 4, the boys of Years 3 to 5 were engaged in in-class Spelling Bees to select the top three spellers from each class. These boys then went on to represent their class in the Inter-House Spelling Bee. The 21 boys assembled for the finals and amazed their peers with their ability. They progressed through the list of words spelling an increasing difficult word list with skill and precision. When we got down to the final three spellers, it took three rounds to finally find our champion. Well done to all of the boys and to Dylan Burke who was crowned our 2018 Inter-House Spelling Bee Champion.

Our top two spellers from Year 4 and 5 will now represent the school in the Inter-School Spelling Bee at Guildford Grammar School in September.

In Week 5, we provided our boys with a challenge of a different type. Beginning on Wednesday 22nd August, our three, four and five-year-old children competed in the ELC Athletics Carnival. They jumped hurdles, ran the sprints, carried potatoes on spoons, had sack races and got wet in the sponge and water race. Each and every one was a star and a gallery of parents and extended family cheered them on. It was a truly wonderful day and the first time our three-year-old children have competed in the Athletics events.

On Thursday 23rd August, our Junior School boys gathered on the playing fields for a day of track and field. Their enthusiasm for the day was evident from the outset, when they marched in behind the Middle School Piper chanting their house name and getting ready for a day of competition. Each and every boy tried their best, and many set personal bests and a few set new school records. The highlight of the day was the shuttle and grand relays which gave each boy a chance to run for their house and it was a fitting climax to what was a wonderful day. Congratulations to Bruce House who won their fourth straight Athletics Carnival crown.

We aim to provide opportunities for our boys to challenge themselves in a range of areas, academic, the arts and sport. The last two weeks in the Junior School was a celebration of what our boys can achieve when they have the drive to do better than they have before. These opportunities do not just happen on their own. I want to thank Mrs Webster, Mrs Turkich and Mrs Phillips for organising a fun yet challenging Inter-House Spelling Bee. I also need to thank Mrs Vincent and Mr Whiston for providing such a brilliant set of Athletics Carnivals for our students. The two weeks that have passed have provided us a glimpse of what our students can achieve through their efforts and determination.

Spelling Bee aths-elc-25.jpg  aths-carnival-204.jpg aths-carnival-313.jpg aths-carnival-904.jpg

Mr John Stewart
Head of Junior School