Scotch College

Many countries represented on the Hill

During Term 3 the boarding community has been enriched by the presence of four ‘exchange’ students in Year 10.

WORDS: MR DOUG GALBRAITH – DEAN OF BOARDING

In recent years the Hill has become quite an international community. At last count there were 16 countries represented, ranging from across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific.

Many of the boys from these countries reflect the growing ‘internationalisation’ of business, as Australian parents relocating overseas to work seek to maintain a stable educational environment for their sons. In addition, a number of boarders are international boys who have chosen to do their schooling in Australia.

In Term 3 the boarding community has been further enriched by the presence of four ‘exchange’ students in Year 10. They are at Scotch for varying periods. Jonas Nommensen, from Hanover in Germany, is here for two terms, Campbell Smith from Wanganui, New Zealand and Tianyang Gao from Shanghai are here for one term, and Avvyananto Wirawan from Bandung, Indonesia is with us for just three weeks.

Jonas is typical of German boys his age who are encouraged to gain overseas experience in a foreign school. Fortunately, his arrival coincided with the Outback trip, which visited the Top End and the Kimberleys during the Term 2 vacation. The highlight for Jonas was swimming in the waterfall below the Mitchell Falls and the magnificent beach at Broome. Campbell is part of an annual exchange with the Wanganui Collegiate School in the North Island of New Zealand. Campbell was delighted to have the opportunity to get a taste of boarding and living in Melbourne.

Tianyang is the third talented young musician we have hosted from Shanghai in recent years in Arthur Robinson House. He is a brilliant violinist who is playing with the school orchestra and looking forward to performing in the Foundation Day Concert. Avvyananto is at Scotch with a number of other boys from Bandung on a three-week cultural tour, and we are delighted to be able to accommodate him in McMeckan House.

For each of these boys, living away from home and boarding has been a terrific new experience. As Campbell described it: ‘You feel like you are part of a family, and all the other Year 10s have made me feel very welcome’. Jonas has enjoyed the challenge of being immersed in a new culture and speaking English every day. He feels his language skills will benefit considerably, as will his hockey. He says: ‘I love the training before and after school, and often the two games I play in the weekends.’

Friendships have formed quickly with the other boys and valuable contacts made for our boarders when they travel overseas in the future. GS