Scotch College

From the Principal December 2002

From the Principal

The Scotch Family - a true community

The concept of a school as a family, or even a community, is not new, nor is it unique to Scotch College.

The reality of such a community at Scotch, however, has hardly been more evident than in recent days.

On Wednesday, 13 November, Philippe Gyles, a Year 9 student, suffered a ruptured cerebral aneurysm while he was training for rowing on an ergometer. In spite of speedy and expert intervention by staff, para-medics, a MICA unit and neurosurgeons, Philippe lost his fight for survival two days later.

The impact on his family, his school and indeed the wider community was intense. A boy who had been very fit and active, with enormous sporting potential, particularly in rugby, and with a huge spirit and joie de vivre had suddenly been taken from us. Philippe's gregarious nature meant that he was known and loved by a huge number of his peers and their families. The sense of shock at his passing was extreme. The sense of devastation and despair felt by his parents and his brother Hayden (Year 11) was beyond description.

During and after Philippe's time in intensive care at the Alfred Hospital, the response of the community was swift and compassionate. Comfort and sympathy were forthcoming to the family and counselling and understanding were provided to the boys and teachers who were involved in the critical incident or who knew Philippe intimately.

News of Philippe's death came just after school had ended on Friday afternoon, 15 November, the date of the Cadet Tattoo. Grief was widespread as the sad information was conveyed. Boys were given the opportunity to step down from the parade or to continue and there was support for those who chose the former.

Seeing the boys on parade was inspirational. Tears were not always kept at bay as minds were filled with thoughts of a fellow student who otherwise would have been on the oval playing tenor drum in the Pipes and Drums band.

Older boys were feeling for Philippe's brother Hayden, one of the band's pipers.

The huge crowd stood for a minute's silence and exuded sympathy to the bereaved family and understanding and encouragement for the participants.

In spite of these almost overwhelming feelings the boys produced a Tattoo of outstanding quality that earned rich praise from the Inspecting Officer, General Sir Phillip Bennett.

The funeral of Philippe attracted a huge crowd of parents and of students, not only from Scotch but from numerous schools and from Philippe's rugby club. As the throng listened to recollections of his life, so full of energy and exploits, Philippe's parents,

Mary and Stan and his brother Hayden were embraced in a huge groundswell of emotion and love.

The word 'love' frequently emerged as his peers tried to make sense of Philippe's passing. It is a term seldom used by boys about their mates, yet it was the only appropriate way to express how they felt.

The huge congregation, estimated in excess of 1,200, represented the wider community of which Scotch is a part. Members of any community need each other and seek the welfare of the whole as much as of the individual. The loss of Philippe has been felt by us all. He had lived life with exuberance and enthusiasm, as befits a boy growing towards manhood. As we endeavour, as a community, to make sense of the fact that Philippe has been taken from us, we are reminded that life is transient and that we who remain have a clear responsibility to celebrate every moment to the full.

As a school community we extend our love, deep sympathy and support to Philippe's family. We mourn his passing and retain with gratitude our memories of one who was, to the very last minute of his life, endeavouring to achieve to the limits of his potential.

The entire Scotch community is the poorer because of Philippe's death, yet enriched by his life and example as a genuine Scotch Collegian.

Dr F.G. Donaldson AM