Scotch College

From the PresidentPresident’s Column

It is interesting to reflect that at springtime, the time of new growth and renewal, many things seem to be coming to an end. Our Junior School boys prepare to move to the Senior School. As Dr Donaldson remarked some years ago, a goldfish in a small bowl will remain the same size, but if moved to a larger environment it will grow until it reaches its optimum size.

From our much larger pond, in the Senior School, the Year 12 young men are now wrestling with study and exams and pitting many of their hopes on gaining entry to their chosen course of tertiary study. We wish them every success and encourage them to give their final examinations their very best endeavour. All this activity can raise the anxiety and tension levels considerably. The limited places at university for the really sought-after professions require exceptionally high ENTERS. There will be some excellent results and high numbers gaining their first choice, but there will also be disappointments. Perhaps we should also bear in mind that this is a transition phase. Many students must accept the second or third choice, but can change after a year or so. Some who do score very highly and achieve their first choice realise that it was not, after all, what they wanted and pursue other careers or disciplines. For others taking a GAP Year while firming up career options works well.

Most importantly, we wish that all our young men are positive-minded contributors to which ever part of society they move in, and maintain the values, sportsmanship and sense of fairness that are so much a part of being a good Australian.

Thank you to all who participated in Family Day. Congratulations to those whose athletic prowess triumphed and all those who may not have made the podium but gave their best in competing.

All who attended the Foundation Day Concert were treated to many virtuoso performances, and of course the farewell to Dr Donaldson will be remembered for a long time to come.

Look forward to seeing as many of you as possible over the closing events of this year.

Ros Franet
PRESIDENT SCOTCH PARENTS' ASSOCIATION