Scotch College

Welcome to Scotch and The Torch in 2006President’s Column

On behalf of the Scotch Parents’ Association I would like to welcome all students and their parents.

In particular I would like to welcome all our new students and their parents to the Scotch community.

Dr Chris Commons informs me there are almost 1,860 students at Scotch, 430 in the Junior School and 1,430 in the Senior School. This year we welcome 290 new students and their families to our community. We are very fortunate to have a thriving boarding community of some 170 boys. About two thirds of our boarders come from within Australia and one third from overseas. There are many countries represented, including Switzerland, Hong Kong, Vietnam, the Netherlands, Singapore, Malaysia, Germany, Taiwan Laos, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, Japan, Thailand, the United States of America and Korea. We are indeed fortunate to be part of such a diverse community. I look forward to meeting as many of our country Victorian, interstate and overseas parents and students as I can during the year.

I hope that the holidays have provided an opportunity to recharge with friends and family prior to returning to a very busy 2006. I have enjoyed talking with parents and teachers about some of the activities our students have engaged in during the holidays. The Vice Principal’s report includes details of all the activities that boys engaged in. In particular I would like to thank all the teachers, parents and Auxiliaries that contributed to the success of these holiday activities.

I particularly enjoyed talking with Suzette Boyd, Head of Library and Information Services about the Literary and Debating Tour to the UK and Paris. Suzette indicated that it was a wonderful success with debates against Eton, Dulwich College and the Leys School.

Some of the other summer activities included: Cadet Promotion courses,rowing camps, student exchanges, mathssummer courses. These sporting and leadership courses proved very popular and successful. Our sporting tours and exchanges have allowed our boys a wonderful opportunity to make life-long friends with students and families in other parts of Australia and the world.

I have already mentioned the Auxiliaries and the fabulous work that they do. I would like to encourage those who are able, to be involved in these very important groups. My personal thanks to those of you who participated in Auxiliaries and acted as Class Representatives last year. I also welcome and thank those of you who are participating as Class Representatives or are involved in Auxiliaries this year.

On behalf of the Association, I welcome back our teaching and support staff. We are very fortunate to have such talented and committed individuals at Scotch.

Congratulations to the new School Captain Andrew Bubb (right)and Vice Captain Bill Darby. We wish them, and their team of leaders, a very successful 2006.

On behalf of the Scotch Parents’ Association, I wish you all a happy and successful 2006.

Stephen Grover
President, Scotch Parents’ Association