Scotch College

News from the Hill

News from the Hill

Removing the mystique from those buildings on Scotch Hill

For some, they are a home away from home - for others a set of mysterious buildings tucked away behind the trees on the hill at Scotch. Perhaps because of this partial obscurity, there's always been an element of the unknown about the buildings on the hill - Scotch's boarding houses.

McMeckan House, School House and Arthur Robinson House together are home to 140 boarders - quite a large boarding contingent in an era when dwindling numbers have led to the closure of some other schools' boarding houses.

Winds of change

The boarding houses are as much a part of the School as the Memorial Hall, the Quadrangle or the Foundation Day Concert. But the winds of change are blowing around the boarders' hill, and innovations are in the air.

The plan to offer weekly boarding was outlined in the October issue of Great Scot. Meanwhile, significant refurbishment work has almost been finished on McMeckan House, and work will be completed on the other two houses during 2001 - the biggest refurbishment project since the houses were built during the 1920s and '30s.

Dean of Boarding, Mr Doug Galbraith said the renovations will result in the boarders enjoying more spacious and comfortable accommodation. 'We're also updating information technology (IT) equipment,' Mr Galbraith said, 'including an increase in the number of Internet points from 70 to over 120, and the installation of an Intranet as an important communications, study and information tool.'

Starting at School House in 1980 under the tutelage of Don MacMillan, Mr Galbraith said the life of a boarder then was quite simple compared with today. 'Open dormitories, with up to eight beds in one room, were the norm then,' he said.

'These days each boy has more privacy and much improved study facilities. 'Senior boys have their own study area and Internet access point. The year 12s have their own rooms - university style - with private study areas.'

Access to Scotch

Great Scot asked Mr Galbraith about the advantages of boarding. 'Access to Scotch for country boys is the first and most obvious advantage,' he said. 'And there are significant academic advantages, with one and a half hours' compulsory study every week night, and extensive access to boarding house teachers.

'But just as important is that boarders quickly learn to act on their own initiative, becoming more independent and able to think for themselves. And, of course, one of the most rewarding aspects of being a boarder is that you make strong and lasting friendships with other boarders.

'For the sportsmen and musicians, there are terrific benefits,' Mr Galbraith said. 'There's ready access to Scotch's unparalleled sporting facilities, and those studying music have both the time and resources to devote to their passion, something that I'm sure that our neighbours appreciate!

'The workshop is always a hive of activity at weekends, and boys sometimes come up with inventive creations like billycarts and lantern stands,' he said.

Then there are the visits to the boarders' own 'home away from home' - Gordon Owen Lodge at Mansfield, where the boys enjoy skiing, riding trailbikes, swimming and just having a good time.

Challenges and rewards

One of the School Prefects on the Hill is Sam Stringer, who hails from Foster in south Gippsland. Sam said he has enjoyed being a boarder, but it wasn't always so. 'I was a little homesick at first, and it took me a while to get over that, but now I can see how beneficial being a boarder has been to me,' Sam said.

'There's a lot of challenges - you're encouraged to learn to become a leader. And there's also plenty of fun and a great sense of community.' As for study: 'I didn't know how to study when I came to Scotch - I learned that in the boarding house.'

Sam said the facilities are good, especially for senior boys. 'The year 12s have a television room - not that we have much time to watch TV - and there's a pool table, table tennis and 24-hour access to the Internet. We've also got Nintendo 64, but I don't really go for that.

'I've been lucky to be a Scotch boarder,' Sam said. 'It's something that will be with me for the rest of my life.'

Getting organised

Year nine student Tim Jelbart, from near Leongatha, is in his second year as a boarder. 'Having to get yourself organised is one of the best bits of "training" I've had as a boarder,' Tim said. 'And regular study time every night gets you into the habit of study.'

Tim said the old 'them versus us' syndrome - the boarders being a race apart - doesn't exist any more. 'Some of my best friends are day boys.'

Tim's father, Max is President of the Boarders' Parents' Association, which meets each term, on the day the boys go back to school. 'There's always a School representative there to tell us the latest Scotch news,' Max said, 'and also to take back to the School any concerns or issues we raise.'

A boarder at Scotch himself from 1963 to 1967, Max has had three sons as boarders. Will (1998) was bow of the winning Head of the River crew in that year, while George (year 12) continues the family tradition of rowing - he's vice-captain of boats.

Max said the financial outlay has been worthwhile. 'It's an excellent investment,' he said. 'I'm all in favour of equipping children for life as early as possible.'

He believes that among the advantages his boys have gained at Scotch is 'a great network of friends and good study habits' - plus he said, Scotch has helped them avoid 'teenage hassles'.

'Campbell Anderson said at this year's speech night that "the cost of educating children properly is insignificant compared with the costs of educating them improperly", and I agree whole-heartedly with that,' Max said. 'My boys have benefited greatly from their days at Scotch, and especially from being boarders.'