as they know they will be appropriately supported as they grapple with the material at hand . The trust that exists between a staff member , who knows that boy as a learner , and the boy , provides the impetus for new learning and taking academic risks .
Are there any particular anecdotes or special occasions that personally stand out over the years which you could share with us ?
By attendance at sporting events , concerts , plays , public speaking and debating competitions over the years , I have been blessed to witness some amazing performances from the boys . It would be unfair to single out one or two examples , but it is certainly the case that the achievements of the boys never cease to amaze me , especially when you consider the breadth of activities in which some of them are involved .
After such an illustrious career , what still motivates you every day when arriving within our sanctuary in Hawthorn ?
Arriving at Scotch each day , I walk into the most beautiful of settings . The grounds and buildings are just beautiful , especially when the sun is glistening off the Main Oval , and are a credit to our Maintenance and Ground staff . Once at school , I become part of a supportive , committed and friendly community . It is a pleasure and a privilege to be part of the Scotch community .
We are blessed with an outstanding staff , all of whom are prepared to give of themselves for the benefit of the boys , and the boys are equally appreciative of what the staff provide for them . The interactions that you have with colleagues or boys , many of which you cannot predict , that provide humour , greater insight into the individual ’ s character and values , and a stronger sense of belonging , provide new experiences and challenges . The fact that each day is different , and in some ways , unpredictable , is one of the appealing aspects of the role .
The classroom environment provides greater opportunity for these interactions to take place , and one of the most enjoyable aspects of the role is being able to interact with boys in a Mathematics class , where , hopefully , I am able to play some part in the development in a boy ’ s understanding of Mathematics , allowing him to see the intrinsic beauty of the subject .
Despite your busy schedule here at Scotch , what are some of your passions or hobbies you like to indulge in during your downtime ?
When time permits , golf and bridge become the order of the day . Of course , the day must start and finish with a walk in the park with the dog – not really a hobby , more of a requirement , but certainly a time to unwind , relax and switch off .
Everyone likes to know people ’ s favourites , so if you would kindly indulge , could you tell us your most cherished :
• Book : East of Eden , and currently thoroughly enjoying Wildland by Evan Osnos
• Musician : very much mood dependent ( anyone from Bach to Ed Sheeran via Dave Brubeck and Johnny Flynn )
• Film : The Castle and The Detectorists ( TV ) – there are many ways to lead a life
• Painter : Joseph Mallord William Turner or Jeffrey Smart ( Masters of Light and Stillness )
• Sportsperson : Roger Federer
How do envisage the future of education at Scotch ?
The world in which this and future generations , of Scotch boys enter will be totally different to the one we encountered . This generation of students will be confronted with the challenge of diminishing natural resources , climate change , wealth imbalance , and the increase in the global population which will bring with it greater migration , urbanisation and increasing social and cultural diversity . www . scotch . vic . edu . au Great Scot 5