Scotch College

Think Back, Give Back

That's the theme for this year's Annual Giving Program. We are asking all Old Boys to think back to their days at School and give back something so that the School can continue to develop in an increasingly competitive education climate.

Many people do not realise that all the structural facilities at Scotch have been provided by Old Boys and members of the Scotch College Foundation - not via school fees paid by parents. All revenue raised from School fees goes directly to the day-to-day operating expenditure of the School. The School is indebted to those who have gone before as they have provided the magnificent facilities we have today and we would like to think the unwritten obligation of Old Boys today will continue this tradition and provide for tomorrow.

Many people also do not understand the implication of the recently announced Government funding model which dictates that funding will be provided to private schools on the basis of residential postcodes of its parents. As many of our parents live in the municipalities of Boroondara and Stonnington, Scotch's support compares poorly to that of many of the other APS Schools, particularly those with campuses in outer Melbourne. In effect, the Government has determined that Scotch parents have the capacity to pay more for their children's education, more than any other APS School. This is a very concerning notion, particularly as the School prides itself on providing the best possible education at the most affordable price possible.

Consequently, the challenge is there for all Old Boys to 'rally to the call' and assist their School in these times. Scotch needs to be accessible to as many people as possible and it also needs to compete with other schools on a level playing field. Hence, we need all Old Boys to contribute in whatever capacity they can to the 2003 Annual Giving Program.

It is important to stress that we don't want people to give more so much as we want more people to give. If everyone contributed to the Annual Giving Program in whatever way possible, we would be able to ensure that Scotch remains at the forefront of educational opportunity in Australia.

The Annual Giving Committee L to R: Rowan Crosbie-Goold, John Jeffreys, Andrew Logie-Smith (standing), Alan Watkiinson and Michael Sim