TAKING YOU OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE
On behalf of our Prefects , School Officers , the student body and the staff , it gives me great pleasure to welcome you to this amazing school and to the exciting year ahead of us .
The Scotch College community has a wide reach with extensive traditions , and it can seem like a very daunting place at first . With the range of opportunities on offer , you may find yourself somewhat overwhelmed by the scale of activities and responsibilities introduced to you .
Nevertheless , I can guarantee that you will find your time at Scotch to be both enjoyable and memorable , and I feel sure that the boys who are already a part of this community will treat you with utmost respect and dignity , just as they were treated when they first arrived here .
At the end of 2020 I remember thinking : ‘ We ’ ve survived the worst of the pandemic already : 2021 has to be a breeze in comparison ’. Obviously , I was wrong as COVID has affected us again . As an optimist , however , I am aware of some of the positives that the pandemic has brought us . Undoubtedly one is the greater role that technology now plays in our School , allowing our community to be more connected in an online environment . Similarly , there is a higher awareness of personal hygiene , changing the mindset of even the most stubborn of us .
There have , however , been significant concerns for many of us . My grandpa recently contracted COVID and has been hospitalised since early January . Instantly the pandemic got a whole lot more real for me . Naturally it ’ s been a tough period for my family , and I ’ m aware that some of you may have also experienced this , whether it was your friend , family member , or even yourself who got the virus .
It ’ s made me realise just how precious time is and just how unpredictable our lives are . Although it seems like we ’ ve moved past snap lockdowns that have disrupted our learning , there is still the prospect of getting Omicron and missing school while in isolation .
The uncertainty of our situation gives me further reason to implore you to seize every single opportunity that comes your way this year and make the best of it . Perhaps you might consider picking a challenging new subject this year that will force you out of your comfort zone , or you might want to get into the first team of your favourite sport and push yourself harder to achieve new personal bests .
Maybe you ’ d like to form a debating team with your mates and get into heated battles with other schools on Wednesday nights , or join the editorial team and help create the incredible Scotch Collegian by the end of the year . Or you could sing your heart out in front of a packed audience for this year ’ s musical , West Side Story . Maybe some of the numerous extension activities that the School offers attract your attention , or you might also consider becoming a part of the Music School family by joining a band , an orchestra or Pipes and Drums .
In my case I ’ ve been deeply immersed in Music School activities and events since Year 7 , and looking back , that experience has helped mould me into what I am today . And I ’ m sure this will also be the case for many of you , whichever path you choose to pursue .
Boys , I know that this year may pose challenges , and that at times you may feel burdened by work and responsibilities . But I also know that if you put in the time and effort , the fruits of your efforts will make this year memorable . Make new friends , stay connected , maintain strong relationships with your loved ones , and most importantly , be healthy and safe , both physically and mentally . I hope you all have a wonderful and eventful 2022 .
Great Scot 31