Scotch College

Junior School Great Scot Biography Party

As part of the Year Six study of Scotch College, its history and the celebration of its 150 years, the 2001 class of Year 6 students undertook a written and oral language assignment that had the biography of a Great Scot as its focus. The students selected a member of the Scotch College community, interviewed this person and completed this work with a written and pictorial account of that person, their life and a detailed description of their association with the College. A number of the Year 6 boys selected their fathers, grandfathers or direct members of their family tree. Other students, whose families had less direct association with the college, chose to write the biography of a non-related Scotch Collegian.

Many chose one of the 'famous' old boys of the College.

In addition to finding out about the Old Collegian and their personal life, many students gained valuable information about the Collegian's career, lifetime challenges and achievements, memories and school experiences. The biography provided the opportunity for the Old Collegians to display many of their own pieces of school memorabilia. Interesting and rare school photographs, flags, prefect blazer pockets, school report cards, magazines and programmes were displayed.

One of the most satisfying aspects of the project was hearing and learning of the future advice that the Great Scots had for the current Scotch boys, along with their advice for future generations.

The culmination of the term long task and the associated research, interviewing and completed written product was an afternoon tea party that was held in the Junior School Assembly Hall on 29 March. On this occasion the Year 6 students sang a welcome to their Great Scot guests and showed them the completed written project. The Year 6 boys took great pleasure introducing their new friends to the staff and parents who attended the afternoon tea. Additionally, the guests were suitably impressed with the personal autobiographical work that the boys showed them.

During the afternoon many guests were able to catch up with their old mates or meet others with whom they share the common bond of being Great Scots of Scotch College.

Mr Brian Sampson