Scotch College

Terminal VelocityPresident’s Column

Pictured above: Senior Musical in conjunction with PLC: Pippin (Tudor Thomas) fails to impress Charlemagne's soldiers with his over enthusiastic military prowess.

It appears that we have reached terminal velocity. We have accelerated until we can go no faster. August at Scotch marked the confluence of so many programs.

As the applause receded from winter sports, it re-emerged only days later to welcome the leaders of water polo and athletics. Sporting boots were exchanged for musical instruments as the Symphonic Wind and Show Band commanded the stage at the Melbourne School Bands Festival and the Military Band performed at the Australian Rugby Championships. These same instruments were again used for the sell-out Choral Concert then gently packed for Music Camp. Thursday saw the Quadrangle become Debating Victoria for an earnest exploration of the issues of our time. An extraordinary Literature Festival spanned the lyrics of Shakespeare sonnets to Don Watson’s Weasel Words. The JFA become the focus of boys’ endeavours in set production, sound management, and of course the beautiful performance of Pippin. At a lunch, the 75th anniversary of the 1st Rugby game played between Melbourne Grammar and Scotch was relived following the Colin Bell Trophy. Hours later, the same venue was transformed for a magical Chamber Music Dinner. David Malouf, one of Australia’s leading writers delivered the inaugural Sir John Monash Lecture, Science Week began and the ScotchArts program continues. In August you were in danger of being in the wrong venue at the wrong time. It was both exhausting and exhilarating. Each event had been devised months before by dedicated staff and often an attached parent group. These volunteers helped plan, organise and create each events’ success. To outsiders, Scotch is defined by its buildings and grounds. It is not. It is its people. Our Auxiliaries and Clubs are full of some of these people. Wonderful, innovative and selfless. Much of August’s terminal velocity was due to their feet on the accelerator. Thank you Auxiliaries.

The pace is maintained through September and October with another wonderful Foundation Day Concert, and the Cadet Tattoo, Jazz Cabaret, and farewells to the Class of 2007 to come. Family Day, as the Schools’ athletics day of fun, is often a day of respite. For many Clubs and Auxiliaries it is often the final event of the year. Seek out the Auxiliaries, the Council members, teachers and administrative staff and tell them what you liked about their efforts. What was that? Parent teacher interviews? Sorry have to go. I almost forgot the academic program. I am sure that all Scotch parents wish the Class of 2007 good luck with their VCE preparation and the realisation of their goals.

Ros Franet
PRESIDENT SCOTCH PARENTS' ASSOCIATION