OSCA
OSCA RE-ENERGISED
OSCA steps enthusiastically into 2021
MR ANDREW WILSON (' 78 ) OSCA PRESIDENT
ANDREW WILSON (’ 78 – PRESIDENT , OSCA ), ALEX SLOAN (’ 71 – CHAIRMAN , SCOTCH COLLEGE COUNCIL ) AND ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DOUG LORDING AM (’ 64 – PRESIDENT , SCOTCH COLLEGE FOUNDATION )
The Cardinal Thread , as described in December ’ s Great Scot ( page 75 ), continues timelessly in drawing the Scotch Family together .
Most encouragingly , The Cardinal Thread is being significantly strengthened between Young Old Boys , by Young Old Boys . YOBs are the future of OSCA – and , as for generations before them , they will significantly influence the School ’ s future .
For example , the YOBs are getting together for ‘ meet-up ’ events at the universities , to help connect last year ’ s Year 12 students into university life . They are also developing a series of YOB podcasts , which will provide benefits such as mentoring , career help , job application advice and help with life skills . Podcasts allow for longer in-depth conversations and complement the short and snappy captions of that other favourite medium , Instagram .
More broadly , OSCA continues to deliver its strategy of providing reasons to connect , ways to connect and opportunities to give back . Delivery has been bolstered by OSCA implementing a new part-time role , to focus on digital content and communication . That the role is initially being filled by last year ’ s School Captain , Will Dixon (’ 19 ), is particularly energising .
More traditionally , OSCA is returning tentatively but with delight to its core activity of events . This includes resurrecting last year ’ s reunions and hoping to dodge any further COVID restrictions . A blockbuster return of the Annual Dinner is in train for Friday 28 May .
The Cardinal Thread is woven tightly in ( and by ) the many OSCA-affiliated clubs and societies – so OSCA Council has invested in strengthening its relationships with those groups , understanding their needs better , and where practicable , providing support . The OSCA clubs are envied across the APS .
Continuing the theme of communication , and particularly of listening , OSCA Council is conducting a survey to learn more about Old Boy views , interests and needs . Such a survey is timely in 2021 , given that the most recent such surveys were conducted in 2012 and 2002 . Ideally , OSCA Council would like to listen purposefully to Old Boy views more often , perhaps annually .
And then there is OSCA House : it ’ s extraordinary , and it ’ s already developing quite a buzz . Usage in the short term is subject to the vagaries of COVID restrictions , but make a mental note to visit it at your first opportunity .
58 Great Scot Issue 162 – April 2021