Scotch College

From the Principal June 2004

From the Principal

No time to do nothing

Each year I enjoy having lunch with all Year 12 students, who meet with me in house groups.

Our conversations range very widely, and include each boy’s aspirations for life beyond Scotch, the international situation and the current political scene which is all the more relevant for this year’s boys who soon will vote in their first federal election. The huge variety of ambitions and views make for fascinating and lively discussions.

I was very surprised when one student told me ‘I don’t really do anything at Scotch’! Naturally, in this busiest of schools, I wondered how he got away with this. He explained that he is studying 5 VCE subjects, hopes to embark on a substantial university course, played cricket for Scotch in Term 1 and football during the winter season, and that he is a Cadet Leader. ‘But’, he added, ‘I don’t play an instrument, sing in a choir, do public speaking or debating or act in a play’.

I took pleasure in explaining that his studies, sports and services activity made for a very full and complete program. His perception, however, that he did nothing of note arose from the frequently celebrated fact that many Scotch boys do more than the basic load and still manage to excel. In the mind of this boy, and perhaps of many others, the extent of these additional achievers is such that a myth develops – every Scotch boy is a superstar.

Each year we delight that there are several superstars and of course we do not apologise that many boys achieve wonderfully well across numerous activities. These are great examples to every boy in the school, elevating expectations and overall achievement levels. Above all, however, they encourage the development of a spirit that is the essence of Scotch: each boy striving for his best in all he attempts, often struggling and also often achieving at a level relative to his ability that delights and surprises him and his parents.

At Scotch every boy matters and every boy receives quality teaching and individual care, attention and encouragement.

This feature of Scotch must be celebrated and, through committed staff and quality facilities, maintained and enhanced.

I referred to this ‘myth’ of the superstar when I spoke at this year’s impressive Annual Dinner of the Old Scotch Collegians’ Association. I also attempted to debunk a second myth which I understand has had currency in recent years. It is that some believe that Scotch has created the superb James Forbes Academy using $20 million of compensation following the expansion of the Monash Freeway. This is entirely untrue. We are paying for the Academy without borrowing and with not a penny from government sources. A great debt of gratitude is owed to all donors who helped us reach the Foundation’s target of $7 million. The balance has come from school resources that have been accumulated for this purpose.

Our compensation claim has been settled very recently, with a net outcome of about $4 million that will allow Scotch to start to rebuild funds for future development. The mythical $20 million simply has never existed!

As we anticipate the addition of the James Forbes Academy to our campus we are again reminded of how much effort has gone into the creation of the fine facilities at Hawthorn that enhance so much the learning experience of each student. There are many future challenges of course, that will be faced with the determined endeavour of the entire Scotch community that has characterised this school for over 150 years.

Dr F.G. Donaldson AM,
Principal