Scotch College

Another most successful Foundation President’s Dinner

Principal pays tribute to Foundation’s continuing contribution to Scotch.

Words: ASTRIDA COOPER • ACTING DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

The Foundation President’s Dinner on Tuesday 29 July in the Cardinal Pavilion was a memorable occasion attended by 170 guests. Among the guests were the ninth Principal of Scotch College, Mr Tom Batty, and his wife, Lee, and the tenth President of the Scotch College Foundation, Mr Michael Robinson, AO (‘55) and his wife, Judith.

In his introduction, Michael Robinson thanked Foundation members for their generous support of the school over the years. He reminded the assembled guests that Scotch relied heavily on the financial contribution made by the Foundation to the school each year to realise the visions for the school, and that current families’ school fees covered the costs of the recurrent budget, but not building projects.

Five past Foundation Presidents attended the dinner: Sir Laurence Muir (’42), Sandy Murdoch (’57) Michael Robinson, Peter Joyce (’56), and immediate past President Michael Stillwell (’68).

Following main course, Michael Robinson invited the Principal to share his first impressions of Scotch with the guests. The Principal spoke about the boys as well as the wider Scotch Family, and made observations about what made Scotch so very special.

‘… Few within the Scotch Family leave the school – they are still here and very much part of the living, breathing school. Strong traditions keep the past alive, but there is a passion for the here and now, and for the future.’

Mr Batty shared with the audience his love of the energy of a boys’ school, the intimacy of a single campus, the sense of justice in non-selective entry, and the fact, first and foremost, that Scotch was an academic school.

He continued: ‘When I picture Scotch, I see at its heart the current boys and staff entwined with its traditions; it is here that all those relationships are working to ensure the best practice of past generations is being mapped to the very best for all boys on the current roll.

‘All around this core I picture those key members of the family who nurture the school’s progress – the Council, the Presbyterian Church of Victoria, the Old Scotch Collegians, parent groups, the members of the Foundation here tonight, and all those who care about Scotch. All these are connected by common values, interests and purpose.

‘Beneath these I see the four pillars of a great education: academic, spiritual, social and creative, and the physical. Finally, beneath even the pillars, lies the power of education’.

Enthusiastic applause followed the Principal’s address, and Mr and Mrs Batty spent the rest of the evening circulating among the guests. GS