OSCA
AN OSCA WEBINAR FOR PARENTS
Supporting parents and their sons in transitioning ‘ beyond the gate ’
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JUM LAMONT (’ 06 ) SENIOR PARTNER , FUSION GRADUATE CONSULTANCY ( LEFT ), WITH SENIOR SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST NICK CLARK ( CENTRE ) AND OSCA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR , SCOTT MONTGOMERY (’ 85 )
In May , OSCA ’ s priority of supporting Young Old Boys took the form of an online event ‘ for parents of boys ’. It was called : ‘ Life beyond Scotch – five ways to support your son after leaving Scotch ’.
The 40-minute webinar , which was born out of the findings of OSCA research , was ably led by Scott Montgomery (’ 85 ) and joined by Senior School Psychologist Mr Nick Clark and Jum Lamont (’ 06 ) Senior Partner , Fusion Graduate Consultancy .
Over 75 parents – whose sons had departed Scotch in 2020 or 2019 – watched short presentations and then had the opportunity to ask questions of the panel .
OSCA ’ s motivation in engaging with parents was partly to support the parents themselves (‘ what should I do ?’) and partly to support the boys indirectly . It takes a while , often too long , for Young Old Boys to realise that OSCA can help .
A common theme is that the abrupt change from a highly structured Year 12 can be challenging . Whatever path the boys follow ( whether university , apprenticeship , gap year , etc .), many struggle with the notion that their ‘ new life ’ requires them to manage their own time and actively find ways to maintain relationships .
One of the key simple , but powerful messages was for parents to encourage their sons to engage with their mates and mutually trusted adults , and , in turn , connect their sons ’ mates with their sons . Another was about encouraging their sons to become involved in club activities whether at community , university , or via the many options with OSCA .
A subtle theme , often missed , was that a Young Old Boy may sail along himself but may well have one or more mates who don ’ t – and that can be stressful .
A wide and diverse range of questions focused on mental health , relationships , alcohol , drugs , developing key employability skills and self-management of time . Practical tips were shared about fostering open communication , working side by side , the problems of direct questioning and parental worry . Feedback from parents was strongly positive . For example : ‘ Thank you for an excellent and thought-provoking initiative – the tips re the ‘ side by side ’ discussion coupled with the key skills to focus on for his development , and the role of trusted friends as mentors etc . were really valuable ’.
Scott summed up by reminding everyone that OSCA ’ s focus lies not in providing professional services , but in providing reasons to connect and ways to connect – which is incredibly valuable as each boy seeks to transition successfully beyond ‘ the gate .’
OSCA provides many avenues for Old Boys to engage with their alumni community through events , reunions , clubs and societies , and virtually through the OSCA Podcast and OSCA Live series . OSCAconnect , our Old Boy communication portal , enables our community to connect with other Old Boys all over the globe .
Next year , OSCA will hold the event again – this time for the parents of the Year 12 cohort of 2021 .
MARK TOLSON (’ 73 )
68 Great Scot Issue 163 – September 2021