Scotch College

OSCAnet to be launched soon

'Tis true; there's magic in the web'

William Shakespeare

An education at Scotch College represents a common bond and permanent link between the seventeen thousand Scotch Old Boys and also between Old Boys and current and future students of the school.

Once they pass through the gates of the school, for the last time as schoolboys, the lives and careers of Old Boys of Scotch take them in varied directions. The Old Boys network, which has formed and re-formed, over the past one hundred and fifty years, represents a valuable resource of life and career experiences and an accumulation of skills, talent, knowledge, wisdom and insight.

The maintenance of strong networking relationships has always been a feature amongst Old Boys of Scotch. Today, the Old Scotch networking spirit, and the enduring benefits it brings to the School, is the envy of many schools.

Networking is a term also adopted by the computer industry to characterise the nature of computer communication possibilities and particularly those afforded by Internet based communication.

The OSCAnet initiative brings the benefits of contemporary Internet technology to the traditional base of interest in maintenance of links with the school and with other Old Boys. While it is an Old Boy networking initiative, OSCAnet is envisaged as a whole school resource - as relevant to current students and their parents as to Old Boys themselves.

Over the past year, several teams of Old Boys have been gathering regularly to combine their experience and skills to assist in the development of OSCAnet. Research has been carried out with Old Boys of all ages to examine reactions to the concept, issues of concern, opportunities for enhancement, and to fine-tune what will finally appear in Phase 1 of the website in July this year.

Those who have seen and discussed details of the website initiative are enthusiastic in their support and see OSCAnet as part of the 21st Century transformation of OSCA enabling all Old Boys to more easily network with each other and develop their careers.

The aims of the website are -

• to enhance communication between the Old Scotch Collegians Association [OSCA] and the seventeen thousand Old Boys
• to act as a directory of Old Boys and thereby foster continuing communication between Old Boys
• to foster the spread of information about Old Scotch activities and events generally
• to assist the sixteen affiliated OSCA clubs and societies increase awareness of their activities amongst others in the Old Boy and Scotch Family communities, eg Old Scotch Football Club, Athletics Club, Cardinal Club, Cricket Club, Ski Club etc
• to help integrate communication and help foster a continuing association between Old Boys and the school
• to act specifically as a readily accessible resource for current students and Old Boys seeking mentoring advice and career guidance through the Old Boy network
• to enable Old Boys to act as mentors to current students and others seeking career insights and advice
• to allow OSCA to efficiently expand the range of services and benefits for Old Boys and the Scotch family.