Scotch College

Boarders step out into the

Boarders step out into the community

Is the life of a Scotch boarder a closeted one of study, sport, and home visits during holidays, with little chance to catch a glimpse of the outside world?

A busy calendar of social service activities, dances, quiz nights and formal dinners shows the real picture is different - that all of Scotch's one hundred and forty boarders have every chance to tap in to the wider community, and benefit from this interaction.

Take the example of the enthusiastic door knocking efforts for more than thirty years by the boys from the Hill on behalf of Red Cross, the Salvation Army and the Hawthorn Community Chest.

Working in pairs, boarders from Years 9 to 11 usually raise about $100 per boy for these excellent causes. More pressed for time, many Year 12 boys instead donate blood via the Red Cross Blood Bank. Other boarders help Vision Australia or visit nearby nursing homes and special schools as part of their Thursday social service activities.

On the social side, functions with girls' schools provide important social opportunities for our boarders. Recently, Year 7 to 12 Merton Hall girls visited Scotch for a Chapel service, supper and trivial pursuit; and there was a highly successful dinner and quiz night for Year 11 and 12 students from Scotch and MLC. Both functions were organised by the boys and girls themselves.

Then there's the boarders' dance at the end of Term 3, also held in the Cardinal Pavilion (Years 10 to 12), and dancing classes at Delmain Dance Studio in Canterbury

(Year 10), which culminate in the Annual Dinner Dance at a local reception centre.

These and other interesting and rewarding extracurricular activities are helping to broaden the boarders' experience of life outside the Hill, while honing their social skills.

Pictured above right: Kiran Pillai donating blood to the Red Cross.

Pictured right: Tim Jelbart shoots for goal in a game against Merton Hall.