OSCA
MR STEPHEN WEBSTER (' 73 ) OSCA PRESIDENT
THE OSCA WELCOME
THE CARDINAL THREAD WELCOMES AND CONNECTS ALL IN THE SCOTCH FAMILY
OSCA ’ s goal is to engage , facilitate and strengthen the connections among Old Boys and the Scotch Family , to help them thrive by strengthening the Cardinal Thread .
The Cardinal Thread is the invisible and intangible connection to Scotch College , created in boys and their families , in staff and members of OSCA clubs and societies that is carried within them long after they leave the school .
The Cardinal Thread is what binds us all . The beauty of the Cardinal Thread is that it is the connection between the school and the greater Scotch Family , it requires no other qualification and welcomes all . At whatever stage of your Scotch engagement as a member of the Scotch Family , you belong – it ’ s our Cardinal Thread .
How does OSCA strengthen the Cardinal Thread ? OSCA adds value to our alumni and community by highlighting the importance of psychological and physical engagement within our community . By doing so , we help to promote the wellbeing of our Old Boys and members of the Scotch Family and enable them to thrive . OSCA already does this through : � OSCA ’ s events - both in person and online ; and � OSCA ’ s diverse and inclusive range of activities in its many clubs and societies .
In 2023 and beyond , our priority is to implement one of our key strategic initiatives – empowering career choices through formal and informal engagement and networking .
Why now ?
We all recognise that COVID severely interrupted our lives and OSCA ’ s activities . As we regain some relative normalcy , there is a mood on the OSCA Council and , we believe , in the wider Scotch community , to have greater impact in strengthening our Cardinal Thread . Like many voluntary organisations , OSCA successfully pivoted in the COVID ‘ lockdown years .’ Within the constraints of the past couple of years , OSCA did have several ‘ wins ’, including :
� Focusing on our Young Old Boys and supporting their work to help ‘ Year 13s ’ and , importantly , their parents to transition ‘ beyond the gates ’;
� The development of OSCA ’ s digital strategy
and the transition to digitally engage with our diverse alumni community ;
� The creation and wearing of the Scotch Family tartan ; and
� The creation and articulation of the Cardinal Thread that resonates strongly within the Old Boys , the school itself and the wider Scotch Family .
Why make this change , and what does it mean for OSCA ?
The feedback from the Young Old Boys is for more career development and engagement opportunities . OSCA ’ s 2021 survey showed strong support from Old Boys to participate in such an initiative . We have received similar feedback from OSCA ’ s clubs and societies , who see the initiative as a way to attract and retain members .
Through OSCAconnect , we are aware that over 60 per cent of our 2300 + members expressed interest in providing mentoring and job opportunities . We want to respond by developing engagement and networking events and activities to promote connections , and through the goodwill and support of the Scotch Family , to help Old Boys of all ages to participate in this initiative . We wish to engage with the wider Scotch Family to : � provide opportunities for Old Boys ; � create potential new members to participate in the activities of OSCA ’ s clubs and societies , and even create new ones ; and
� strengthen the connections within the community that will support the school in the years ahead .
What will the ‘ careers support ’ initiative look like ? The careers support initiative is currently being finalised , but it will have several points of engagement during the life of a schoolboy ( with the support of the school ) and the life of an Old Boy . OSCA will also work with the Scotch Parents ’ Association to help current parents participate in the program . At the same time , the initiative will seek to engage the Scotch Family ( including past parents ) to find ways to give back by providing mentoring , career advice and job opportunities .
66 Great Scot Issue 168 – May 2023