Scotch College

From the PresidentPresident’s Column

Pictured above: The Military Band Tour to UK, performance at Christ's Hospital.

My family is in its 12th year of association with Scotch, just under half the period of Dr Donaldson's time as Principal. We have noticed some shifts in the nature of the School and there must be many more changes observed by Old Boys who are now parents at the School, as the generations move on.

During Term 2 the School conducted a survey of parents, something I doubt would have happened 25 years ago.

This has provided an opportunity for us to consider the positive and negatives of belonging to such a large and successful School ‘family’. It is also an opportunity to examine the expectations of what Scotch might achieve for our boys. It will be fascinating to hear how everyone regards the steady changes as traditions adjust to changes in the community.

The size of the School creates a wider range of opportunities in sport and education, but we are ever mindful of the possibility of boys falling through the cracks, on not being able to reach their potential by being overshadowed by more obvious achievers. This is most clearly guarded against by teachers, Year Level co-ordinators and the ever vigilant Vice-Principal, Ian Savage. Parents too, looking out for one another's boys, play their role in the caring Scotch community.

Many thanks to School Captain Ed Whitelaw for his contribution to the last Torch. It is a valuable tradition that allows parents at all year levels to get to know these impressive young men.

We are now well into the second half of the School year and the sports, social and cultural activities begin to change with the seasons. There already have been wonderful performances of Pippin, with the PLC girls, great reports of many successful tours including Rugby to New Zealand and the Military Band to the UK. While the School enjoys ever expanding diversity among its students, its community activities and curriculum options, the tartan troos and Scottish tradition remain a core component of Scotch College.

Our thoughts are with Matt Pierri (Year 11) who suffered a neck injury during a School sporting fixture last Term. He is recovering at the Royal Talbot Hospital having been discharged from the Austin Hospital. All Scotch parents would like to extend their support to the family and their thanks to the School and teachers for their efforts but most of all, we look forward to the return of this fine young man to School.

Ros Franet
PRESIDENT SCOTCH PARENTS' ASSOCIATION