Scotch College

School Captain's Column April 2002

Unity and Diversity

Imagine an interested observer, an outsider, witnessing hundreds of Scotch boys gathered together. It could be a Morning Assembly in the Memorial Hall, around the crowded tuck shop at recess, or at sports training after school. Hopefully, the observer will be struck by a real sense of community of common purpose, of school spirit.

The boys will be excited by short, frenzied outbursts of emotion such as war cry at the Head of the River or at the APS swimming finals. But school spirit is also on show in the more routine and everyday occasions which make up our life at Scotch. When we take steps to establish personal contacts, our sense of identity, community and spirit is enhanced.

Will every member of the scotch community have a real sense of belonging? Will we feel that we have a part of play, each part meaningful and constructive? Will the things that unite us give the strength to eliminate the things which divide and isolate us?

The interested observer may think that we at Scotch are all the same; he would be wrong. We celebrate our diversity. After six years in the senior school, fully immersed in the academic, sporting, service and music life of Scotch, I believe I have a full diversity that is Scotch.

In the first three weeks as school captain, I had the opportunity to address the new boys of year 7, speak to the senior school assembly and attend a meeting of the school council, and shared some thoughts on being a VCE student with the parents of the Year 11 boys; diverse groups, each of which is intimately involved in the life of the school.

The boys have already had a chance to congratulate outstanding individual performances in academic pursuits (high distinctions in the chemistry Olympiad to Paul Pallot and Nicolas Sheridan), and in sporting achievements (Rob Hunwicks’ swimming records and Patrick McKenna’s’ 1st XI century).

We all share in the sense of belonging when Scotch does well, and we have the responsibility to play our part to contribute and support the school activities. We cannot do everything, but we can do something.

The school celebrated its Sesqui-centenary in fine style in 2001. The boys of 2002 are now busily playing their part in making this another year of activity, involvement and growth. The interested observer will hopefully be impressed by our unity of purpose as well as our diversity of achievement.

Sam Webb
School Captain