Scotch College

Editorial

Words: Tim Shearer • Editor, Great Scot

This edition of Great Scot celebrates transition. It celebrates the transition of the Class of 2007 into the Old Boy world. It celebrates a number of outstanding staff and their wonderful contribution to the School as they move into retirement or to other schools. And it celebrates Dr Gordon Donaldson, AM, and the incredible contribution that he has made to Scotch College over a 25-year period. I am sure that the old adage “that you can take the man out of Scotch but not the Scotch out of the man” will no doubt be appropriate here! We also briefly meet the new Principal, Mr Tom Batty, to whom Dr Donaldson will hand the reins, or perhaps more appropriately, to whom the torch will be handed.

Although the School is indeed encountering a period of change, it can do so with full confidence that the foundations are strong. You only have to read the tributes to Dr Donaldson on pages 12 to18 to be sure of this.

I have no doubt that that although many things may change in the future, much will also stay the same – the values of a Christian-based education, the philosophy of a broad curricular and co-curricular offering, and the importance of aiming high while keeping one’s feet on the ground are just a few that come to mind.

Perhaps the following lyrics to the tune of the College Anthem (sung to Dr Donaldson at the OSCA President’s Dinner in the James Forbes Academy in November) appropriately reflect our feelings for Dr Donaldson and all that he has done for Scotch:

Hail thou best of Heads and dearest,
Gladly now our song we raise;
Here the JFA he proudly rearest,
Where his boys’ glad singing thou hearest,
Ever shall resound in praise.
First in all our thoughts we place him,
Deeds of his shall ne’er displace him,
Staunch if ever troubles faced him,
We will love him all our days.

Gladly now our chorus swelling.
Thus our love for thee forth telling.

Good old Gordon! we’ll ever sing.

Deeply stirring is the story
That his Old Boys will now tell;
Hard-fought fights and deeds of glory,
Done by Gordon, now grown hoary,
Who, when young, played rugby well.
His old burden now we’re bearing,
His great deeds – there’s no comparing,
And his glory now we’re sharing,
As with joy our glad hearts swell.

Gladly now our chorus swelling,
Thus our love for thee forth telling.

Good old Gordon! we’ll ever sing.

We wish departing staff all the best for the future, and thank them for the lasting contributions they have made to the lives of boys at Scotch. We also welcome new students and staff to Scotch in 2008, who I am sure will create their own history and leave their own mark on the School. GS