in a range of sports . His engaging chats about boys ’ performances and experiences in their games cannot be undervalued , and I know it is appreciated by so many in our community .
It is not uncommon to see our Principal joining in a game of downball at lunchtime or sharing a kick of the round ball with them . I think it says a great deal about Tom ’ s desire to build rapport and relationships with the boys . His commitment to the boys has been inspiring , and as he departs Scotch he can be assured he has made a difference to many in his care .
STUART POWELL – DIRECTOR OF SPORT
The hands-on style of our Principal , Mr Tom Batty , will be sadly missed among the Grounds team . I recall on a number of occasions , particularly during cricket season , it felt as though we had an additional staff member ‘ on standby ’ to lend a helping hand with the cricket covers when rain threatened to interrupt play on the Main Oval .
Clearly an athlete in his younger days , Tom would often stride out to the middle of the Main Oval to assist our Grounds staff to ensure the turf wicket was kept dry as the gloomy dark black clouds would begin to build from the west . Coincidence or not , Tom ’ s well-timed appearance usually occurred during the Scotch 1st XI batting innings , reinforcing that the home ground advantage is still alive in the APS competition . Well , it is at Scotch ! We thank Tom for his support .
MICK SMITH – CURATOR , AND THE GROUNDS TEAM
There is no doubt from the moment Tom arrived at Scotch that he was not going to be a simple figurehead . He wanted to be in the game , among the boys , the parents , and the staff . Rarely a day passes where Tom is not found treading the path of Morrison Street as he welcomes and farewells boys , or perhaps drops into a classroom or sports ground , unannounced , to see what is happening . Tom has a clear vision for the School which he intends to live out , not just speak out – for passionate , relational teachers ; engaged boys with open minds ; spaces that remove barriers between teachers and students ; and many more ( including , hopefully , a love for the poetry
of Carol Ann Duffy , and as he calls it ‘ the great game !).
‘ What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments , but what is woven into the lives of others ’ – Pericles 495-429BC
CAM CUTCHIE – HEAD OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION ; PRESIDENT , COMMON ROOM ASSOCIATION
Tom ’ s educational philosophy has always demonstrated that a boy ’ s personal and social development beyond the classroom stands parallel in importance to his academic development . Just as an involved parent would want to do , Tom has attended major and minor school events in rain and shine to secure in each boy a faith that one ’ s best effort is all that can be expected . After every school play that I directed , Tom came backstage and shared his enthusiasm for the night ’ s performance with individual members of the cast and crew . He attended every 24-Hour Hike wearing his trademark shorts to walk the first evening loop with Year 9 boys , only to drive back to Melbourne some hours later , ready for a new school day .
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