Scotch College

Back to the future

School Vice Captain Ben Kaye with School Captain Ed Tudor

Have you ever walked through Scotch at night, on a weekend or during the holidays when there isn't a student to be seen? You could be forgiven for believing that times like this don't exist. The School without students is a different place altogether.
It lacks that amazing energy that only the students can create: the sort of energy that pushes a rowing crew across the line or holds spellbound an audience in music or drama.

Wandering through Scotch without students makes you realise that there is so much more to a school than red bricks and 'holy' grass. That said, Scotch's facilities play a vital role in our continuing success as students. It's for this reason that we are so lucky that our Old Boys are willing to 'Think Back, and Give Back.' As Stage Two of the James Forbes Academy takes shape we can see the fruits of their generosity.

Old Scotch Collegians give back in countless ways. Many make incredibly kind monetary donations, while others give their time and skills. At the moment Old Scotch Collegians can be found on campus teaching, in administration, coaching sports teams, umpiring, assisting in music and services and even attending camps. When do they learn to be so generous in giving back to their old School? It seems that many Scotch Collegians start to give back before they are even Old Boys.

The Class of 2004 Committee: Back row: Rory McNeice, Michael Gekas, William Shin, Chris Swan, Andrew Kemp and Luke Van Ryn. Front row: Eric McCowan, Andrew Mitchell, Todd Mitchell, Ben Kaye, Ed Tudor and Khachornwut Supasiti.

This year dozens of students have already committed themselves to help ensure the continuing success of the School. We are often reminded of how many opportunities we have at School, and by accepting roles as Prefects, School Officers, captains of sport and extracurricular activities, many boys have demonstrated their desire to give a little back. However, to support the School, students don't require positions of leadership. Hundreds of boys choose to show their support by participating in or attending activities throughout the year, and in doing so give back a little of that energy that we all thrive on at Scotch. And their activities do not stop at the School gates. Every Thursday afternoon students in the Social Services Program help members of the community from all walks of life. On Thursday 11 March the Prefects hosted the World's Greatest Shave for a Cure, to raise funds for the Leukaemia Foundation.

Giving back is vital to the continual growth of Scotch. Be it Old Boys or current students, no matter how large or small our input, we can all help out. In thinking back to our inspiring past, we have the ability to create a magnificent future.

Ed Tudor
Senior School Captain