While paying credit to staff , credit is also due to the boys and their families . Each of us has a story to tell and we must all be mindful that the impact of the disruption did not fall equally . Hopefully we can call on our various experiences over the last two years in the future , as required . Thinking through and talking about how we have coped and adapted is an extremely valuable life lesson for all concerned . I know that staff have and will continue to provide support where it is most needed .
The School Council has also been far from immune from challenge in recent times . As members of our community know , Council made the very difficult decision in January not to proceed with the appointment to the position of Principal announced last November . At a personal level I want to take this opportunity to express my regret to the Scotch community that the appointment could not proceed as planned in July 2022 .
Some in and outside our community have sought to attribute blame that we found ourselves in this position . While I don ’ t think that is helpful in dealing with matters of such sensitivity , as a Council , we share the collective responsibility for our decisions in relation to this matter . We remain confident that the right course has been taken for the future of our School .
Having come through that experience , Council has needed to demonstrate its resilience and get on with this most critical of its responsibilities . I want you to be confident that Council is determined to meet the test – we are forging ahead with new advisors and with confidence that we will find the very best candidate to lead our School in the future . There will be no compromise in this most important mission .
In my message last December , you may remember I made reference to Council ’ s ambition to unveil a fully integrated strategy to underpin the next era of the School as early as possible in 2023 . That ambition remains very much to the fore in Council ’ s mind , albeit the timing of that initiative will by necessity be pushed back by several months . We will obviously want to incorporate the thinking of our new Principal in the strategy development process .
Perhaps the key to understanding Council ’ s approach in the coming months is to understand that there will be no compromise of standards in what we do . Whether we are speaking of the new Principal appointment , our strategy development , or any other aspect of governance , the highest standards will apply . My key message to all is that being truly resilient requires us to respond in a way that does not diminish the goals we had previously set ourselves . The timeline might change , the method of execution may be different , but the outcome will not be compromised . I wish all in our community the very best as 2022 unfolds , and may we all be well served by the experience of the last two years as we navigate a rapidly changing world .
Great Scot 5