Scotch College

Go Green! Receive The Torch Online!President’s Column

Thank you to all families that have responded so promptly to our online newsletter campaign to assist us in conserving paper.

Many of you will also be enjoying the added bonus of greater familiarity with the Scotch Intranet. Please encourage your friends and colleagues to explore the paperless option to ensure this initiative is a major success. After the busyness of the start to the school year has subsided a little, we would like to explain how the Scotch Parents’ Association functions within the School structure.

The Association is very well supported by the Principal and Vice-Principal who usually attend the Association’s four annual meetings. Two members of the School Council, John Simpson and Susan Hughes, attend and contribute to our discussions, and report our views directly to the Council. John and Susan are actively involved in many School Committees. Susan (pictured above with Bill Sciarretta, Property Manager) is also the Chair of the Signage Committee, responsible for the greatly improved signage around the school that will be most useful to newcomers and visitors.

The Association also receives important support from Ian Gelling, the Administration Manager, and Hugh Wilson, the Finance Manager, who handles Treasury responsibilities. We thus have direct contact with the full management of Scotch College.

Our Year-Level Representatives and Auxiliary Presidents comprise the rest of the members and indeed create the balance of the meetings’ discussions. Our two Vice-Presidents, Peter Dawson and Barb Hurley, share the organisational/administrative responsibilities with me and make this role a breeze. Representatives perform a pivotal role, taking up appointments for two years and are very generous with their time.

Already this year we have had welcome events for Years 7 and 12, with boys and parents getting to know one another or firming existing contacts.

I enjoyed both these activities very much and it was wonderful to see the students and adults mingling so well together.

While candidates sat scholarship exams on Saturday 24 February, we were helped by fifteen parent volunteers and the Year 10 boys to conduct School Tours for the waiting parents. School staff were at key points along the tour and made it most interesting for all involved.

The Auxiliaries perform similar tasks to assist new entrants to the many sports and other activities offered at Scotch. We strongly recommend that you make contact with the auxiliaries that support the activities your son is interested in.

It ensures that he and you can make the most of the available opportunities.

We must not forget, of course, that Scotch is primarily an educational establishment. Heads of Years and Form Teachers are most important contacts. Sometimes we hear that parents are concerned that their boys might get ‘lost’ in such a large place. But please be assured that there are always two or three staff members who are well aware of your boy and his potential, and have many ideas designed to assist him reach that promise. By being as involved as you can, you will get to know these people and maximise your boy’s progress.

Summer sports are winding down and Autumn will bring on the various football codes, hockey and other cooler-weather activities. We look forward to your participation and enjoyment of each season in the life of the School.

This year will be the final year of Dr Donaldson’s outstanding tenure at Scotch. He has announced his retirement effective at the end of the School year. We are most grateful for his willing support and contributions to the Scotch Parents’ Association.

 

Ros Franet
PRESIDENT SCOTCH PARENTS' ASSOCIATION