PRINCIPAL
MR ROB MCLAREN ACTING SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
ABOVE RIGHT : GREAT SCOT EDITOR CHRISTOPHE TAYLOR AND VICE PRINCIPAL
ROB MCLAREN
‘ IT IS A PLEASURE AND PRIVILEGE TO BE PART OF THE SCOTCH COMMUNITY ’
ACTING PRINCIPAL ROB MCLAREN SPEAKS TO GREAT SCOT
Following the resignation of Tom Batty and prior to the arrival of Scotch ’ s tenth Principal , Dr Scott Marsh , Vice Principal Rob McLaren has taken the reins as Acting School Principal . Great Scot Editor , Christophe Taylor , interviewed Mr McLaren , first asking about his career in education .
The Scotch Community would be very familiar with you , Rob , but they might not necessarily know about your career in education . Would you mind telling us a bit about the pathway that led you to becoming Acting Principal of Scotch College ?
My teaching career commenced in 1979 when I was appointed to a teaching position at The Geelong College . After spending six years there , and a short two-year stint at Melbourne Grammar School , Dr Gordon Donaldson appointed me to a Mathematics position at Scotch College , commencing in 1987 . I have remained at Scotch since then . Over the years , I have been fortunate to have held a number of senior positions : Head of Year , Head of Middle School , Head of Upper School , and most recently Vice Principal . The gap between the departure of Mr Tom Batty , and the arrival of the tenth Principal of Scotch College , Dr Scott Marsh , has seen me step into the role of Acting Principal for the remainder of the year .
Scotch College enjoys a tremendous reputation across Australia and internationally . How would you define the essence of what makes Scotch so special ?
The elements that go together to make Scotch the special place it is are rich and varied . Scotch College is built on strong foundations . The School ’ s foundational principle , the inherent dignity of each individual , and its connection with the Presbyterian Church of Victoria , provide the values and traditions on which everything we do is based . There is a strong sense of belonging and community at Scotch .
On staff , there is a lovely mix of people who have had long and distinguished careers at the School , who maintain connections to the past and promote the values and traditions of the School , and young staff , who are just starting out on their teaching journeys . The teaching staff is extremely well supported by the
hard-working and friendly non-teaching staff , all of whom provide great support for the boys and teachers .
The Memorial Hall , which can be thought of as the School ’ s spiritual home , where boys assemble three times a week , reinforces the community aspect of the School , and allows the achievements and successes of the boys to be celebrated in front of the wider School community . The achievements of our boys , whether it be in a sporting event , an Olympiad competition , an exchange program , or in one of the many extension opportunities on offer , on the world ’ s stage , have certainly enhanced our reputation as a leading educational institution . Over the past few years , the School has been at the forefront of educational initiatives and when responding to societal requirements , the School has had the confidence to initiate change and implement new programs , rather than wait to see what others are doing .
Over the years , how have pedagogies and culture changed to allow for students to enjoy their learning experience ?
Scotch has become a more intimate and outward looking school during my time . There is now greater focus on individual care , the new House and Form structure providing opportunity for each boy to be better known as a learner . Boys have been challenged to take more control of their own lives and think more about their place in the world , seeing diversity as an opportunity to learn from others . An important aspect of this learning is that boys have been given a stronger voice , raising issues that impact on them and other members of the community .
Boys now have far greater choice in what they learn . The introduction of electives , which provide staff opportunity to teach their particular area of interest , and allows boys to explore options and find interests and passions , has strengthened the connection each boy has to his learning .
As boys have become better known , this has allowed staff to provide each boy with the appropriate level of support and challenge . That teaching and learning has become more individualised , allows boys to enjoy success and become more connected to their learning . Boys also feel more comfortable and confident when confronted with new learning ,
4 Great Scot Issue 166 – September 2022