Scotch College

From the Principal September 2003

A Wider Focus

In the previous edition of Great Scot the Principal explained how the concept of the 'Scotch Family' has been redefined and enhanced. There is no doubt that the sense of community that is engendered by such a concept has been vitally important to school over recent times. Just as a community exists in the broad 'Scotch Family', so it is promoted within the school and the student body.

Ideally, the Form Groups and Tutor Groups of both the Senior and Junior Schools provide a place where supportive relationships are developed between all members of the group. These groups then become places where there is a sense of inclusion, where each individual's uniqueness is recognised and where each member can contribute according to his strengths and weaknesses. The Morning Assemblies of both schools serve a similar purpose of building a sense of community across the wider student bodies. One of the greatest challenges in building this sense of community among young people and one of the most significant long-term benefits of doing so, is the process of taking boys' focus from themselves. While the development of empathy comes with age and experience, there are many ways in which the school can encourage its development. The cross-age mentoring that accompanies our Prep-Pal, Peer Support, Services, Music, Drama, and House programmes provide many opportunities for boys to develop their empathy for others. In addition, the social service focus of each Form or Tutor group directs attention to those beyond the school. It was upon the initiative of some senior students that the students, teaching staff and administrative staff of both the Junior and Senior Schools joined together to raise funds on the recent 'Jeans for Genes' day.

During the recent vacation, the 10th Annual International Boys' School Coalition Conference took place in Sydney. This conference brought together delegates from boys' schools in USA, UK, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand and Japan. The coalition has been able to build an international community of educators despite the diversity of contexts within which each school operates. Scotch has been a strong supporter of this organisation, just as the school has keenly supported the growth of an international perspective among students. The sense of a global community is central to the world in which today's students will spend their adult life.

The international sporting tours that have taken students to the UK, Spain, USA, Japan and New Zealand provide cross-cultural understanding within the context of sporting competition. The music tours to S E Asia, China, the UK and Africa have provided similar experiences in a different context. The bi-annual Nepal expeditions have always had a focus on cultural understanding and service to others in less fortunate circumstances. The Year 8 and 9 exchanges with the Kingsford Oxford School in Connecticut, USA, and the Year 10 exchanges with The Raffles Institute of Singapore provide wonderful international experiences as do the 'Gap' arrangements for a number of our Year 12 students in the transition to their tertiary courses. The LOTE Department has also been very active in expanding the opportunities for students to develop their international perspective and experiences. Relationships have been built with schools in Indonesia and China, and exchange programmes to France, Germany and Italy have expanded. In all these activities the school is conscious that it cannot move beyond the aspirations of its parents and staff. These programmes are dependent upon the continued support of parents and the work of the teaching staff. Recently, Scotch families have hosted 14 students from the USA, 17 from France and 3 from Germany. 23 Scotch students will be hosted in Lyons, France, for six weeks over the December/January vacation.

The building of communities across Form and Tutor groups, the wider student bodies, 'The Scotch Family' and international borders will remain central to a 'Scotch education'.

Ian Savage - Acting Principal