Scotch College

Opportunity knocks at Scotch

A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds.
Francis Bacon, English philosopher, essayist, politician, and courtier.

On Thursday 7 August I was invited to speak at the Junior School Bradshaw House Chapel service. The theme for the service was "opportunities", and naturally I was asked to base my talk on the appropriate topic. I wrote down some ideas, my so-called pearls of wisdom, and presumed I was well prepared for the service, unaware of what I was up against.

I arrived at the Littlejohn Memorial Chapel bright and early and walked down the aisle that was lined with posters listing the endless opportunities offered at the Junior School. I listened to Grade 5s and 6s rehearse the speeches that they were to deliver to their fellow house members once the rows of chairs were filled. I quickly realised that my speech was becoming more obsolete with every student who came to the microphone to share his opportunities.

The students were well aware of their surroundings, talking of the academic opportunities, sporting opportunities, and opportunities in the arts. I had attended a small state primary school in North Balwyn, where there were fewer students at the entire school than in half a single house of the Junior School. I had the time of my life at my primary school and did not have a single regret from my days in the old school yard. Nor had I had ever once considered myself disadvantaged in any way. But the benefits of the wonderful facilities at Scotch ring home when you have an 11-year-old boy expounding on how lucky all the students are, and encouraging them to make the most of their opportunities. Wise words from a young boy's experience.

Consequently I had absolutely nothing to add to their words. They completely understood the opportunities that lay before them, and how fortunate they were. I could only follow along the lines of a quote I had heard when I was younger: "A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds." How appropriate to apply this to life at Scotch College.

Opportunities surround every Scotch student: it is merely up to the individual whether to utilise them. But is that where our energies are best spent? Is it better not only to make the most of the opportunities offered to you, but also to make opportunities on your own?

I would hope that although Scotch's opportunities stare us in the eyes, we are still motivated to make our own opportunities. It is a challenge to which we should all aspire.

Michael Starke
School Captain