Scotch College

School Captains Column

School Captain's Column

'Where to from here?'

As the year's clock slowly ticks over and the winter months set in, it is very easy for many students to feel weighed down and lacklustre. As the weather loses its liveliness, so too can a student, because the year's end seems so far away and the academic pressure is beginning to mount. However, the truth is that the end comes quickly, and for the senior students the end of an era is just over the horizon.

The end of the year is also a time of change and excitement for all students, and something to look forward to. With this in mind, it is imperative to maintain enthusiasm and motivation at this time of year, to build upon the strong foundation set in term one, and to ensure that a sense of satisfaction is felt in the final stages of the year.

The immense diversity of the achievements of Scotch students is something that is always increasing, and term one was no exception. The boys in cardinal had a stellar season on the sporting field with both the cricket and tennis teams coming a very close second in APS competition.

The swimming and surf life saving teams both retained premierships and the rowers had some very convincing victories, most notably at the Henley regatta.

The Music School has been extremely busy, especially the Show Band who have performed at several functions in term one. The May Concert was most entertaining and the Drama department will be starting a series of school plays starting with the Scotch/Ruyton production 'Voyage Round my Father'. When the enormous number of individual achievements is added to this impressive list, the spirit and vigour with which Scotch boys commenced the year is evident.

The Class of 2000 have so far been nothing less than outstanding. The devotion to academic studies, which is prevalent in every year 12 group, has been supplemented with an enthusiasm for contribution. The vast majority of the year group have been combining the pressure of the VCE with a desire to complete their own personal portfolio of activities.

With the academic assessment well underway, this desire has not waned, typifying the organisation of the students. These students who have enjoyed the year through service and enthusiasm are those who are to be most admired and who will reap the rewards at the end of the year.

At the end of 2000, the two major changes within the school will be, as ever, the departing of the senior students and the continued progression of the junior boys. My contact with year seven and the junior school has been immensely pleasing, but it is important for these boys to begin considering both the immediate and the long-term future.

For the senior boys, the journey ahead may seem arduous and draining, but speed will seemingly begin to rapidly increase. Memories will become increasingly important, but unfortunately memories cannot be relived. While it is the future we plan for and desire, it is the present that demands our attention and must be enjoyed.