Scotch College

The five key elements of the 150 tie

At ceremonies at the Junior School and the Senior School on Monday 26 February, Bruce Lithgow, as Chairman of the 150 Celebration Committee, presented ties to the boys to be worn during 2001.

The emblems on the 1851 - 2001 ties are the five key elements of the Scotch College Coat-of-Arms. In order of importance, given by their positioning on the Coat-of-Arms they are:

• The Burning Bush. This is one of the most frequently used emblems in the Presbyterian Church. It symbolises the constant and powerful omnipresence of God: not just the by the spontaneous burning of the bush, but even more so that the flames did not 'consume' the bush. This symbol forms the Crest of our Coat-of-Arms.
• The Imperial Crown. The crown demonstrates our loyalty to the Queen and the Commonwealth of Nations.
• The Southern Cross. This is internationally recognised as representing the Southern Hemisphere and particularly Australia and so stands for our loyalty to and pride in Australia.
• The Torch. In this instance the torch is a Torch of Learning, but it may represent equally a Torch of Life as living and learning are synonymous
• The Lymphad or Galley. If you look carefully at this you will notice that the Lymphad has its sails furled and its oars in use, because it is directed straight into the wind: a direction in which no sailing boat can make progress.

It stands for honest endeavour, strength, determination and a will to participate and succeed, to overcome obstacles and similar traits which we hope will be inculcated into boys at Scotch and that Old Boys will maintain when they leave.

The school ties are on a red background and a slightly larger replica on a blue background has been produced for Old Boys, staff and members of the Scotch Family.

These can be purchased from the Development Office.

Mr Dick Briggs, Archivist