Scotch College

From the Principal - December 1999

From the Principal

A vibrant educational Institution

I was recently struck by a demonstration of Scotch of the healthy co-existence of tradition or heritage with the forward thinking thrust of a vibrant educational institution.

The advanced musical skills of our Pipes and Drums and our Military Band as well as the drill and ceremonial skills of the Cadet Unit in general and the Guard and Flag Party in particular have contributed to two major events. One was the revival of a commemoration of John Monash's death, held at the Brighton Ceremony and attended by a large number of government and community dignitaries. The second was the 1999 Cadet Tattoo where a large crowd appreciated the skills displayed by the boys in an impressive parade and remembrance ceremony.

In each of these the young men of Scotch demonstrated their hard won skills as well as their awareness of the importance of this type of occasion. Through their willing involvement they were assisting wider communities to remember appropriately the contribution to Australia of a truly great Old Scotch Collegian on one hand and on the other the debt we owe to thousands who sacrificed their lives on the great conflicts of the twentieth century.

These events were educational experiences, for the students involved and for those who attended. Those being educated at Scotch had become community educators, and all were enriched by the value of looking back and reflecting afresh on how what we can enjoy today depended on what had been done by earlier generations. The students involved also gained an awareness of their place in the wider scheme of things through being a part of a significant community tradition.

The equally impressive Prom Concert and Carol Singing at Scotch furthered the sense of belonging to a rich cultural tradition, with music spanning several centuries being performed with a maturity that belied the youthfulness of the performers involved. The special religious significance of the Christmas celebration was also much in evidence.

There is much to be gained from being properly appreciative of what has gone before, to shape us as people and a community. As we draw towards the end of 1999 there has been an understandable focus on looking back.

In his recent book, New Thinking for the New Millennium, Edward de Bono expresses his criticism of education as looking only to the past. He writes "Education is all about the past, all about 'what is'... There is nothing about the creation of new values" de Bono goes on to challenge educators to develop a sense of the importance of creativity, a forward focused thinking.

For many years Scotch has been responding to the obvious importance of considering the future needs of our students, for our task is to prepare them to be useful contributors to their coming lives as adults. An impressive amount of curriculum and pedagogical development has characterised the programs of the Junior and Senior Schools. Not only has the information technology revolution been embraced, but the scope of what is attempted by Scotch education has been extended very substantially.

Educational Research and Development has become a focus of Scotch and has led to some innovations such as the establishment of the impressive team teaching in Year 7, that is becoming widely repeated in other schools. A broader choice of subjects for boys in the senior end of the school also reflects our endeavours to meet the needs of the wide range of students attending Scotch, and the quality of VCE results demonstrates the impressive success of our students in their academic endeavours.

The work of our 1999 Foundation Fellow, Rollo Browne (referred to later in this issue) has contributed very efficaciously to our identification of areas requiring future attention.

A restructuring of the Senior School in 2000 indicates our continuing endeavours to improve the way in which we meet the needs of Scotch Collegians in the future. Two new positions have been announced: Head of Middle School (Years 7 and 8) and Head of Upper School (Years 10 to 12). These have been created to allow us to focus additional attention to the specific needs of boys and to enhance our ability to respond efficiently to emerging requirements in these age groups. In essence, each Head of School has the task of improving the quality of the educational experience of each boy in the appropriate sub-school.

And intensive selection procedure led to the appointment of Messrs Ken Wheat as Head of Upper School and Paul Runting as Head of Middle School. Each brings a wealth of experience, gained at Scotch and elsewhere, as well as impressive skills and energy, to these important positions. Their previous roles as Heads of Year 12 and Year 8 have been filled by the appointment of Ms Keiron Jones and Mr Andy Muller respectively.

Scotch has a deserved reputation as a school that effectively prepares its students for their futures. These appointments and the creation of the two new positions indicates our determination to maintain our efforts to be creative and innovative. The heritage and tradition of Scotch, mixed with a determination to be focused on the future needs of our students should ensure the continuing effectiveness and value of a Scotch education.

Dr F. G. Donaldson