Great Scot Archive
Issues from 1998
Issues from 1998
 
 
 
 

Publications

Scotch College: Great Scot: From the Principal - December 1998

Scotch College Melbourne Great Scot - December 1998

Deo Patriae Litteris


Home
Great Scot

Index

Great Scot Cover small

 

The value of milestones

Everyone enjoys making progress, in whatever endeavour they might be involved. The value of 'milestones', marking passage from one phase to another is widely recognised, and many communities have developed ceremonies to identify such moments. Birthday celebrations and Jewish Bar mitzvahs are but two examples.

Some suggest, however, that it is unfortunate that Western communities have delayed or lost many of the markers of progression from adolescence to adulthood.

In Scotch there are several significant moments as a boy advances through the school. The change of uniform from grade 1 to 2 is a simple example. Graduation from Year 6, with the rest of the school singing a song of farewell at the Junior School Speech Night, provides an effective rite of passage for departing boys.

Several Service activities, such as Scouts and Cadets, ceremonially mark progression through the ranks. The recent Tattoo, with the excellent parade and music, will live in the memories of everyone involved, as a significant graduation ceremony for Cadets at the end of their year.

The Year 12 Speech Night is another impressive ceremony where every boy in the Class of 1998 is individually acknowledged on the platform for the contribution he has made to the school. This may be through activities involving peers, or acting as a leader, or being a role model for younger students.

A strength of Scotch is the enormous program including boys of several year levels, each contributing to the experience of the other. Learning to lead requires those who need to be led. Learning from those a year or two older creates bonds of association and interest that are otherwise difficult to achieve. Each year 12 student, then, has contributed in some measure to the school beyond himself, and recognition at Speech Night is appropriate.

Our Guest of Honour this year was the Governor of Victoria, Sir James Gobbo AC. In a most effective speech, Sir James encouraged his audience to express their appreciation to their parents and acknowledge the teaching staff, referring to the 'value of a good teacher and the exacting responsibilities carried by teachers'

While noting that students could expect to be exhorted to use their skills and vocations to confront many challenges, including 'globalisation, technological frontiers, vast economic and political changes and competition' Sir James said it would be understandable if they felt they could 'only survive by aggressive competitive attitudes and meeting ever demanding performance assessment of an exacting workplace'.

But Sir James challenged the Class of '98 'to do all to achieve a gentler society', observing 'a growing confrontational attitude at large, a lack of spirituality, all the shirtfronting of a physical sporting contest without any of the sportsmanship, and a real decline in good manners, especially on the roads... You need only relate to others with consideration and good manners', he added, 'for those qualities, along with learning and integrity, are the essential attributes of a truly educated person.'

The 1998 Perelberg Award winner,

Dr Rob Moodie, also challenged the Speech Night audience. Having marvelled at his remarkable record in the cause of public health, they warmed to his exhortation that we should broaden our definition of success. Dr Moodie's thoughts were summarised in the words he read from R W Emerson's poem, 'Success':

To laugh often and much,

To win the respect of intelligent people

And the affection of children,

To earn the appreciation of honest critics

And to endure the betrayal of false friends,

To appreciate beauty,

To find the best in others,

To leave the world a bit better,

Whether by a healthy child, a garden patch

Or a redeemed social condition,

To know even one life has breathed easier

Because you lived,

This is to have succeeded.

Armed with these resounding challenges the Class of '98 progressed next day to their Final Assembly, where their own commitment beyond themselves was demonstrated by their gift to the school of over $16,000.

The Assembly concluded with the Torch Ceremony, a 'rite of passage' of stirring dimensions, where those departing the school each grasp for a moment a burning torch, symbolising the Spirit of Scotch College, before passing it to following generations to maintain and cherish.

The world certainly is challenging and tough, and our graduates are well prepared for it. Their oft-displayed sense of responsibility and consideration for others suggests that theirs will be an appropriate and valuable contribution to the future.

Dr F G Donaldson

 

Updated: Monday 24 June 2013