Scotch College

School Captain's column

Begin at the beginning", the King said, very gravely, "and go on till you come to the end: then stop." Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

The Class of '02 has finished its adventures at Scotch College, and has since moved on. Moved on without me I might add.

In reminiscing about old school days with a YOB (Young Old Boy), he seemed amazed to learn that the school did not come to a screeching halt at the completion of his immediate Scotch life. He was seemingly surprised at the idea that the teaching staff members have dusted off their textbooks for another year, the students have once again pulled up their socks, and that inflation has yet again caused an increase in the tuckshop prices. He looked blankly into thin air realising that perhaps there was still cause for Scotch to ring its bells for the one hundred and fifty-second year, with or without him.

Just as boys who have gone before us have finished their adventures, the new Year Seven's have jumped down the rabbit hole and are about to encounter some of the greatest experiences, opportunities and challenges of their lives.

One of the pleasures during my first term as School Captain has been getting to know the new group of boys in Year 7 during their camps at the Scotch property in Cowes. From surfing to sailing, playing cricket to digging for dinosaur bones, to worrying about whether they need to do maths in order to study Law at Melbourne, these kids display all the qualities necessary for their lives and adventures at Scotch College and beyond.

In the sporting arenas, Scotch has begun 2003 maintaining the fine standard we have come to expect. All sports teams have displayed prowess in their respective competitions, with the cricketers and the table-tennis team retaining positions at the top of the table.

The 1st VIII rowing crew is shaping up nicely alongside the swimming & diving team who also have their major competition nearing at every minute. There have also been notable individual performances on the sporting fields that are being recognised with "Sports play of the week" awards presented in assemblies.

The whole school has used Term 1 to lay the foundation for what promises to be a successful and rewarding year. I would like to congratulate all students for the manner in which they have performed during the beginning of the year, and urge them to uphold this standard for the remainder of the calendar, as Scotch College bats on, 152 not out!

Michael Starke