Scotch College

’We are very fortunate to have found Tom Batty … ’

This is a transcript of the Chairman of the Scotch college Council’s address at the installation of Mr I Tom Batty as the ninth Principal of Scotch College.

It was at the first meeting of Council held in 2007 that, following more than 25 years of dedicated service as the eighth Principal of Scotch College, Dr Gordon Donaldson advised Council of his decision to step down as Principal at the conclusion of the 2007 academic year.

The Council immediately appointed a Principal selection sub-committee (Mrs Susan Hughes, The Hon Dr David Kemp, The Rev JP Wilson and David Crawford) to conduct an extensive worldwide search to find the ninth Principal of Scotch.

It would be remiss of me at this juncture, if I did not pay tribute to Mr Ian Savage for the extraordinary way in which he has shouldered the load as Acting Principal. Council is most appreciative of all that you have done.

The search extended over approximately nine months, and Council was impressed by the quality of the applicants, which reflected well on the standing of the School.

In identifying the criteria for appointment, Council said it wanted to attract an exceptional educator who:

• can provide outstanding academic, strategic and organisational leadership to the Scotch community;
• has a well-articulated educational philosophy and a deep understanding of boys’ education;
• has a record of attracting, developing and inspiring outstanding staff;
• possesses exceptionally good interpersonal and communication
• skills, as well as personal qualities of integrity, energy, presence and good judgement;
• can position the School attractively in a competitive education market, and take a lead on (and be actively involved in) fundraising and development activities; and
• has a desire to respect the history and values of Scotch College as a leading all-boys school, including the School’s Scottish heritage and cadet corps.

And, of course, the School’s constitution states that the Principal must be a communicant member of the Presbyterian Church, or a confirmed member of another Protestant church.

During the selection process, Council was most impressed with Mr Batty’s educational philosophy, views on current and future issues in education, and his commitment to and passion for the role. Mr Batty sees education as a means ‘through which boys can take control of their lives, and emerge confident young men, adaptable to both complexity and variety. I believe in a values-based education that focuses on the whole child, and a broad curriculum that sets the same standards from the classrooms to the Chapel via the playing fields, music schools and theatre. Essential to my vision is the need to engender in each boy a strong sense of self and a desire to question, discuss and lead. All this, I firmly believe, is best achieved in a Christian setting’.

It was during October 2007 that Council unanimously resolved to offer the position of Principal of Scotch College to Tom Batty.

Mr Batty, aged 45, is a communicant member of the Church of England, and until approximately three weeks ago, was Housemaster of Villiers House, Eton College, in the UK, Chairman of the Housemaster Standing Committee, Head of Department, Master-in-Charge of football (soccer) and former coach of both football and cricket. He is married to Lee, and they have two young daughters. He is British born but holds Australian citizenship following a number of years teaching in Australia. Lee is an Australian who was born and educated in NSW.

Mr Batty completed his secondary education at Burnham Grammar School, Buckinghamshire, and attended Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middlesex, where he obtained a BSc Honours degree in mathematics and also obtained a Certificate of Education. He commenced his career in education initially at Thames High School in New Zealand (1987–89), proceeding to St Patrick’s College, Wellington, New Zealand (1989-91) and then came to Australia, where he was a tutor at the University of NSW (1991–92). He then moved to Waverley College, Sydney (1992–96), before joining Eton, where he has been employed since 1996.

Tom’s other interests include modern classical literature, classical and contemporary music and ballet, modern German and Russian history (particularly the eastern and western fronts of the Second World War), contemporary political issues, psychology and child development, sport (jogging, cricket, squash, tennis, fives) and travelling with family.

It would seem from what I have just recounted that we are very fortunate to have found Tom Batty, and have him accept the position as the ninth Principal of Scotch College.
GS