Scotch College

Torch ceremony 2003

School Vice Captain James Barton with School Captain Michael Starke

Torch ceremony 2003

Just as Scotch College winds down yet another schooling year, so too has the Class of 2003 wound down a hugely important era in their lives. On Friday the 24th of November 2003, the Year 12s were given a day of both celebration and recollection. Over 230 normally tired and worn faces from the gruelling challenges of their final year, turned out for their final day of school bright eyed, eager and excited.

They watched fellow class members perform a variety of acts in the Science Lecture Theatre, (from rock to rap to comedy), then sat back and watched the teachers put on a performance that peaked when Mr Colin Christie gave us reason to believe he was unlucky not be the Australian Idol, with a cover of 'Wild Thing' that The Troggs would have been envious of.

Processions continued throughout the day, students experiencing their last Chapel service before a luncheon on the hill. But the day came to a climax as the Class of 2003 were farewelled at the Year 12 Final Assembly and Torch Ceremony.

The entire school gathered to pay tribute to the Year 12s achievements over their time at Scotch. The school congratulated Littlejohn House for winning the Cock House championship for the third year in a row, led by Captain Andrew Hocking. Students who achieved Full Colours in 3 different sports during the year were rewarded and congratulated accordingly. James Barton, Chairman of the Class of 2003 Committee presented the school with a sizeable cheque, to fund a gift for the School that will be appreciated by everyone for many years to come. However, the most important part of the day was still to come.

Within the school motto lays the Latin word 'litteris', and on the right of the schools coat of arms can be found a blazing torch. Both these symbols represent advancement of learning, an ideal that laid the solid foundations for the school over 150 years ago.

Two torches were lit and held up high as the Memorial Hall filled with a roar. Each member of the Class of 2003 was given the privilege of holding the torches of learning aloft as they crossed the stage to hand the torch on to a fellow member, whilst the Hall echoed with the school songs sung in recognition of the year 12s. It was a chance for the boys in all year levels to see that the light at the end of the tunnel was indeed not an oncoming train! The Class of 2003 have found their way through the Scotch tunnel, now ready to change their tracks in life, and the Scotch Family wishes them all the best for their future journeys.

Michael Starke - Senior School Captain

	Dr Donaldson presents Andrew Hocking (Littlejohn Captain) with the trophy for Cock House.
	James Barton and Michael Starke get the torch ceremony underway