Scotch College

The only constant is change

The only constant is change, continuing change, inevitable change….no sensible decision can be made any longer without taking into account not only the world as it is, but the world as it will be – Isaac Asimov, Russian-born author.

We all live with change, and we cannot live without it. Some of the economic and environmental trends now confronting our society, however, are unprecedented in their scale and complexity. The global economic crisis is the worst for over half a century and has affected the world, both developed and developing countries.

Australia is clearly not immune, and nor is Scotch College. The economic downturn has had a significant impact on the School’s financial position.  The investments of the Scotch College Foundation have decreased by approximately 27% through 2008 and the School’s investments have reduced over the same period. Whilst this performance is better than the overall market, largely because of the diligence of the School’s finance and investment committees, it has necessitated the School to actively review its financial position and strategy.

Drought conditions over the past decade have had a significant impact on the School’s grounds and facilities.   The playing surfaces of many of the School’s ovals have been severely stressed during the summer months, as have many of our traditional plantings and gardens.  Most of the recent works at Scotch have occurred at or below ground level, such as the installation of a 2.4 million litre water tank and the re-levelling/grassing of the main oval. These enhancements will make a major difference to the facilities that we provide for our boys. Thanks to the School’s property committee, working with the School property manager and grounds team, a sustainability program has been developed and implemented to prepare the School as well as possible for the environmental challenges ahead.  More about this can be learned by reading pages 16 to 21 of this edition of Great Scot.

Our Principal, Tom Batty, writes about how small changes in input can result in a major change in output – the sum being greater than the parts.  I see the work of both the finance and property committees in this light – subtle and appropriate changes leading to improved outcomes for the School.  In time our attention will need to return to our facilities above the ground. Our prudent fiscal management, grounded in empathy for the challenges of the fee-paying parents and a commitment to debt-free development, will prepare the School to meet the financial challenges of the future. 

Together with key staff, the principal is currently developing the educational plan that will ensure that the School continues to deliver positive, high-quality educational experiences and outcomes for the Scotch boys of today and tomorrow.  Many factors will be evaluated, many views will be considered and a number of steps will be taken to ensure that Scotch continues to be at the forefront of independent secondary education.  This educational plan will require facilities, and these facilities will need to be resourced.  It was philanthropy that made it all possible at Scotch, and it’s philanthropy that will continue to make things possible in the future.

If the Scotch Family’s generosity towards support for the recent bushfire tragedy is anything to go by, I am confident that we can look forward to another positive response from our community, continuing our fine tradition of support for the School. At the appropriate time it is my hope that each and every member of the Scotch family will invest in the School’s future – many making a small input, resulting in a major change in output — again, the sum being greater than the parts. GS