Scotch College

From the PresidentPresident’s Column

The James Forbes Academy is a hive of activity with many of the 850 boys who participate in music at Scotch, perform-ing to a full house in the Ian Roach Hall during the Autumn Concert Season.

Also in May, 117 pipers from across Victoria competed in the annual Scotch Solo Piping Competition. June will be no less busy with String Recitals, Show Band, Military Band and Symphony Orchestra concerts.

In the adjacent Geoffrey McComas Theatre sets are regularly being constructed and performances polished. Winter is the perfect time to sit cozily in a theatre and I would encourage Scotch families to consider making our own Geoffrey McComas Theatre their venue of choice. Boys who devote countless hours to rehearsals, sacrificing precious weekend freedom, deserve a full house and appreciation to bring out their budding talents. Please encourage your families to attend a performance at Scotch this year.

Audiences were recently rewarded with a presentation of The Insect Play by Years 9 and 10 Scotch and Ruyton students. July and August are sure to bring similarly talented performances by senior students from Scotch and PLC in West Side Story and Year 7 and 8 students in Peter Pan.

Second Term brings a range of new activities for the boys as they take their places in winter sports teams, all benefiting from the wonderful work of the Grounds Staff under the expert guidance of Head Curator Mr Michael Smith.

While June for Scotch boys means exams, it also means a highlight of the School's calendar … the Cordner-Eggleston Cup. With the match to be played at Scotch on Correction Day, Friday 12 June, boys will be able to watch the opening bounce and support the 1st XVIII against Melbourne Grammar in a game of long-standing friendly rivalry that is sure to entertain.

Since a Scotch football team first visited the Tiwi Islands in 1996, Scotch boys have visited the there every two years. Over that time Scotch has hosted a number of boys from the Tiwi Islands at the School and last year many Scotch families billeted boys when a larger group visited. A number of Scotch Staff including the Principal

Mr Batty, visited the newly established Tiwi College. The College was recently present-ed with an opportunity to purchase a truck which will greatly assist them in taking supplies to the school which is some distance from the coast.

The Scotch Parents’ Association along with the 1858 Club and PASS Auxiliary were pleased to be able to support the efforts of the Development Office to raise the necessary funds from private donors and the School Community to fund this purchase and support the Tiwi College, which will again host a group of Scotch boys in August 2009.