Scotch College

From the Principal June 2003

From the Principal

The Scotch Family redefined

The "Scotch Family" is one of the great strengths of Scotch College. The concept was first named by former Principal, Mr Colin Healy, and his Bursar, Ken Field, who observed the huge support provided by parents and others for the School's extensive co-curricular program - sport, services, music, drama and others.

'It's like one big family' is the recorded observation. Co-ordination and improved effectiveness resulted from the establishment of an umbrella organisation, The Scotch Association, later called the Scotch Family Association. The School Council recognised and defined it as 'The Scotch Family means boys at the school, their families, Old Boys and their families, present and former members of the Council and the staff of the College, former members of recognised bodies and others concerned with the maintenance, welfare and advancement of the College' - essentially everyone with an interest in Scotch.

The School has also benefited from that remarkable body, The Old Scotch Collegians Association (OSCA) which celebrates its 90th anniversary this year. In addition to providing scores of outstanding leaders of Scotch, as Chairmen and members of Council, OSCA has created a wide range of clubs and societies. Over recent months the OSCA Council has completed a rigorous review of its operations and has recognised that a greater support to the Scotch Family would result from the OSCA activities expanding beyond Old Boys. Interestingly, twenty years ago around 50% of School enrolments were sons of Old Boys. Today the proportion is around 25%. Clearly parents make a tremendous impact whilst their sons are at Scotch and forge strong relationships with other parents.

In addition, the School staff are a key ingredient in the successful Scotch recipe. It is often staff and School friends that Old Boys look back at with fondness when they reflect on their days here. OSCA has recognised the need to extend their embrace to include parents and staff, extending beyond the end of their formal association with the School.

An example of this action relates to the distribution of Great Scot, which now goes to current parents and Old Boys. Once a former student leaves home and Great Scot is redirected to his new address our connection with non-Old Boy parents ceases. It is our intention for 2004 to include these people on Great Scot's mailing list and encourage them to join the Old Scotch Past Parents Club. Further, OSCA Affiliated Societies have been re-named 'Old Scotch Clubs', with a more inclusive name and approach (see article page 39). The work of the Scotch College Foundation remains of vital importance to maintaining the excellence for which Scotch is renowned.

It will seek to engage current parents as well as Old Boys, Past Parents and Past Staff in its task. The most important outcome of this refocusing exercise is the nurturing of the Scotch Family concept. Of course there is, at the daily operational level, a clear delineation between those with a current involvement at Scotch and those whose involvement is in the past. However, in the broader sense, both groups fall under the Scotch Family umbrella with important contributions to make Scotch the best possible School. It is exciting and most encouraging to see the groups coming together in intention and organisation. The outcome for Scotch can only be very positive.

Dr F.G. Donaldson AM

 

 

1.	Ian Savage - Vice Principal
2.	James Ross - Old Scotch Football Club
3.	Rob Wilson - President Old Scotch Collegians Association
4.	Tim Shearer - Executive Director OSCA
5.	Jan MacLean - President of Junior School Parents Association
6.	Michael Starke - Senior School Captain
7.	David Fekete - Year 8 student
8.	Alan Watkinson - Director of Development
9.	William Wilson
10.	Dr Gordon Donaldson - Principal
11.	Nick Smith - Year 9 Student
12.	Bob Welch - Cardinal Club President
13.	Campbell McComas - Past President, Scotch College Foundation
14.	Dylan Best - Year 12 Student
15.	Mark Collins - Academic Staff Member
16.	James Barton - Senior School Vice-Captain
17.	Graeme Bradbeer - School Chaplain
18.	Ashley Miller - Grounds & Maintenance Manager
19.	Robin Stewartson - School Council
20.	Neil Roberts - Bursar
21.	Gill Beaurepaire - Past Parent
22.	Sandra Dick - President, The Scotch Association
23.	Ed Butler
24.	Guy Mason - Junior School Headmaster
25.	Nicholas Jarman - Captain of Junior School
26.	Joshua Booth
27.	Tom Wormald - Vice-Captain of Junior School
28.	Andrew White
29.	Jack Acton - Year 6 Student
30.	Bradley Mason - Year 4 Student
31.	Quillan Chan - Year 1 student
32.	Lachlan Roberts
33.	Benjamin Ferguson
34.	Peter Murray - Year 3 student
35.	Tom Browne - Vice Captain of Junior School.