Scotch College

Being influential can make a real difference

Andrew Bubb, School Captain

Becoming a well-rounded and ‘good’ person is possibly the most important of our goals in life, and like all goals it takes time to achieve. By being good and true people, we can exert a positive influence on others around us, and help towards, and feel a part of, their successes.

Just a few nights ago, Tony Glover (Head of McMeckan House) spoke to our boarding house about the importance people place on becoming a good man. He cited a book written by Celia Lashlie (a prison officer in New Zealand) as an example, stating that of 5000 respondents to her study, every one claimed that he wanted to become a ‘good man’. The obvious question stemming from that is what does it take to become a ‘good man’?

One point than Lashlie pushed strongly in her book (entitled He’ll be OK – Growing Gorgeous Boys into Good Men) was that all boys need a positive role model, and that this was fundamental to them coming of age. This person would most likely be their father, but could also be an older brother, a teacher, a neighbour, a friend’s dad, or any other male involved in the boy’s life. She concluded that a good role model would be found closer to home than most might think.

If these role models for young boys are those close to home in our community, it means we’re the ones that need to shoulder this responsibility. Regardless of whether we’re the first or last in line in terms of influence to someone, there’s still a possibility there that we might make a difference to them.

Having a positive influence is something we can all achieve, and we’re given the chance to do so with countless people around us in an abundance of ways. Obviously the Kapumfi project has allowed us to be influential in the lives of Zambian children, and while we won’t be the most important people in the lives of these children, we realise that our impact will be valued down the track.

But another project that Scotch has recently become involved in is much closer to home, and again targets the areas of education and equity.

At the beginning of the year, Scotch began a social service program which involves tutoring refugees who stem mainly from north-east Africa. Scotch students ranging from Years 9 to 12 travel to Sunshine to help boys and girls from Years 5 to 12 in English, Mathematics and sometimes Science. Although it might seem thankless at times, the tutors know that their help is valued immensely, and it might just be a smile every now and then that conveys the students’ appreciation.

Adam Chong (a Year 12 student involved in the refugee tutoring program) told me that the tutors can sometimes find the challenge relentless, especially the drive to Sunshine. However, he believed that ‘the opportunity to broaden the horizons of underprivileged refugees is undeniably satisfying’. He added: ‘It’s important for us as a school to help out in our own community’, giving us the opportunity to interact directly with the people involved and to have a more resolute link. He summed up: ‘These small altruistic actions make a tangible difference to these individuals who are not as fortunate as we are.’

The positive role that the tutors are playing is greatly important, and it also allows them to expand their own views. I’m sure this will be of great importance to them in the future – hopefully it’s the pivotal stride in them becoming ‘good men’.

Andrew Bubb
School Captain