Scotch College

Dr Seuss still makes sense

‘You have brains in your head, you have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.’

Photography: Jocelyn Pride

I love the stories of Dr Seuss, and never get tired of hearing the rhythm of the words, the fluency of their rhyme and the creativity of the prose. I especially enjoy the words that are often nonsensical, but every now and then some words of wisdom stand out there for me on the page.

Take the quote in the box for example. To me it speaks so clearly about much of what life in our Junior School is all about: boys making decisions about their learning, their future and ultimately, being in control of their own destinies.

Life is so busy these days and at a recent school readiness talk presented by renowned educational consultant Kathy Walker, we heard about taking life slowly when preparing our children for school, because once they are here, each year passes in what seems increasingly faster flashes! We are all encouraged to make the most of each day that is presented, and in the same way, we hope boys will also grasp hold of the opportunities presented each day at School.

So much is on offer to the boys at Scotch. Reading mid-year reports recently and reflecting on all that has been presented in the first half of 2007, I continue to be inspired by the variety of activities on offer, and even more so by the levels at which boys involve themselves.

Leadership is one area that stands out. At the beginning of the new school year, the Principal presented 17 badges of office to the following boys who have assumed formal leadership roles in 2007:

These boys have provided fine examples of leadership throughout the year. In addition, every boy in Year 6 has undergone formal training through Peer Support, where responsibility is given in cross-age groups via the house program. In this program, every Year 6 boy becomes actively involved in real leadership of younger boys.

A wonderful example of this was when a younger student recently approached his Year 6 Peer Support leader in the playground to seek assistance with a situation that was making him feel uncomfortable. Instead of dismissing the younger boy, the Year 6 leader dropped out of his game, took the lad aside and helped him with strategies to get him through his situation.

Here was a Year 6 boy who has decided where he will go and a younger student who has been the beneficiary of such positive role modelling. He was willing to seek out the older boy, not a teacher, for help; he had the power and confidence to choose what direction to take.

Having fine role models at the upper end of the School who are actively involved in such a wide range of activities, the younger boys can only be inspired to follow in the footsteps of their ‘big buddies’ and to be just like them. Through this, the Junior School continues to be a thriving place of activity, inspiration, and even perspiration!

With Dr Seuss as one of my favourite authors, it excites me even more to see boys choosing to steer themselves in any direction they choose. GS