Scotch College

From the Principal

Much to remember

Events may be memorable because they are unusual. Few Scotch boys can look back to the day when the Headmaster of Melbourne Grammar School addressed them in assembly and a gift to Scotch was presented by the old Melbourne Grammarians! That splendid occasion, described in more detail elsewhere in Great Scot, was a part of our remembrance Day assembly which this year marked the 90th anniversary of Gallipoli, the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II and the 40th anniversary of the conclusion of australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War. over 150 special guests attended, many of them war veterans. all present were much impressed by the account of the enormous courage of old Scotch collegian Hugh Syme, who was australia’s most highly decorated naval serviceman in World War II. through the thoughtful efforts of former Melbourne Grammar School captain, Peter Macdougall, a replica set of Hugh Symes’ war medals has been made and presented to Scotch as a permanent reminder of a remarkable old Scotch collegian. a wonderfully generous gesture! While this assembly was taking place all Year 7 boys listened as the service was relayed to them in the Quadrangle, where they carefully planted over 500 white crosses, each bearing the name of one of the old Boys who died during both World Wars and whose names are inscribed in the Memorial Hall. The sight of the crosses made a huge impact as we entered through the Quadrangle, and the poignancy of the occasion was all the more acute when some boys assisted a few visiting veterans to find the crosses bearing the names of brothers killed in combat. While it was not unusual, the 2005 cadet tattoo was another memorable occasion for all involved, with the Pipes and Drums and the Military Band creating a sense of occasion that was enhanced by the bearing of every cadet on parade. the reviewing officer, Major General Michael Hindmarsh, Special operations commander was full of praise for what he observed on parade. In his address he encouraged every boy to continue a personal quest for excellence, which he described as a habit that develops from doing small things as well as possible. the splendour, the atmosphere and the significance of the tattoo made it a special event. The Year 12 Presentation Night, again in the Memorial Hall, marks the end of schooling for the class of 2005. It is a regular event in our calendar, yet each year is unique because it involves a new group of students. the School captain’s address is always a highlight with the 2005 captain, Chris Anderson making his memorable contribution (also reported in Great Scot). He made the very valid point that Scotch did not define what boys should be, rather it is the boys who ‘defined what Scotch would be’. That being so, we can be very pleased with Scotch in 2005, for we have seen remarkable leadership from our senior students this year. Some have led through the positions of responsibility they had been given – Prefects, School officers, captains of sports, of Houses, of various activities. others have led by example, through outstanding academic, sporting, musical or drama performances. Our thinking about important issues, such as the needs of australia’s indigenous peoples, has been led by students’ enthusiasm for Scotch’s initiatives in these areas. the wonderfully generous initial response to the Kapumfi appeal, to create a new school in an impoverished region of Zambia, reflects the readiness of the Scotch community to follow the lead of senior students who were seeking a means to assist in third world areas. Even the Year 7 students, with their crosses in the Quadrangle, could be seen to be leading our thinking, our reflecting and our gratitude regarding the sacrifice in war of our old Boys. These are but a few of the memorable events seen recently at Scotch. they demonstrate a vibrant community where the involvement of each boy, staff member and parent enhances the experience of all others. this school does provide outstanding educational opportunities for its students. It is gratifying to see, through events memorable or ordinary, the present generation making the most of that opportunity.

Dr F.G. Donaldson AM
Principal