Scotch College

Opportunity President’s Column

At the beginning of this year, Daniel Wolfe, 2008 School Captain, spoke of ‘Opportunity’ to the assembled School.

His talk prompted me to include with this newsletter a form (page 24) to allow you to explore the opportunities that the Scotch Parents’ Association has to offer. Many Clubs and Auxiliaries would welcome your interest and help. It is your opportunity to be involved.

The Scotch Parents’ Association is strongly supported by many links.We link with the School through the Principal and Vice-Principal, the Finance Manager, Hugh Wilson, and the Administration Manager, Ian Gelling. We link with other schools, with Jallina Kaminsky attending the Victorian Parents’ Council and Jan Goldsmith the Interschool Liaison Group.We link with the Junior School Parents’ Association via its President, Pam Kelton-Rock. The School Council maintains strong links with the SPA, with Susan Hughes and John Simpson attending meetings, keeping us abreast of Council deliberations, offering support and reporting back to Council the issues raised from the parent body. These people are tremendously important in contributing their time to our organisation.

I was lucky to catch up with some of our boarders’ parents at a meeting of the Boarders’ Parents’ Association, chaired by President Locky Stevenson. There has been an increase in the number of boarders on the Hill this year and with the refurbishment program, great activities at Mansfield Lodge and a fine group of boys as leaders, Locky’s support group is looking forward to a great year.

John Marshall, President of the Pipes and Drums Auxiliary, had great pride in describing the win by our Pipes and Drums Band at the Ballarat South Street Piping Competition. The first win in seven years, it was on the occasion of the final performance of Ross Campbell’s musical arrangements as Ross retired last year, with Mark Saul taking over. What a great send off it was, with a lot of excitement for the Auxiliary. Congratulations to all involved! There are a few truly sentinel events in the Scotch calendar. Head of the River is one. The Cardinal Club, described as ‘truly passionate’ by one involved parent, is a fine example of parental support.

I encourage you to consider going to Nagambie on Saturday 15 March, it is an opportunity to see Scotch spirit on show. Good luck to all our crews.

Peter Dawson
PRESIDENT SCOTCH PARENTS' ASSOCIATION