EDITORIAL
CHRISTOPHE TAYLOR
EDITOR GREAT SCOT
Undoubtedly , Scotch College owes a lot of its strength to the rich , diverse journeys of our students and their families . I never cease to be amazed by the individual stories that emerge from our boys – as you will be able to read in the pages of this edition of Great Scot – which are testimony to their resilience , determination and bravery .
However , in the following pages we also wanted to focus on the common ground that our students share and stand on , across all cohorts and across time . From sharing physical spaces to school traditions , our Scotch students follow a journey that unites them behind shared values . In his pages , Dr Scott Marsh clearly exposes the premise for his views on how we can achieve a pathway that is cohesive and shared by all , notably with the three R values of Respect , Responsibility and Reverence and the emphasis on character formation , thanks to ‘ conversations about meaning , purpose and ultimately , what it means to flourish ’.
In addition to this collective voyage offered to all our boys , it is incumbent on us , as educators , to ensure that we continuously strive to present a united front and a shared vision that allows for
the journey to remain as harmonious as possible . The development of the new Strategic Plan , departments working together , OSCA initiatives , the contributions by the Scotch Family , the Foundation ’ s plans for future buildings , to list just a few , all contribute to uniting the journey and ensuring that each individual student , even when no longer within the Scotch walls , has experienced an itinerary which is coherent and uniquely Scotch . Moreover , the concept of unity is a twoway street : a united family that surrounds our boys is a key factor in helping them to become , in turn , united as students , which is an everlasting gift and legacy they will carry with them across generations .
In addition to wanting to highlight the extraordinary Foundation Day Concert that took place at Hamer Hall under Dr John Ferguson ’ s leadership and the music team ’ s hard work , the cover of this edition , with the Scotch College Orchestra and the Years 10 to 12 students singing in unison , symbolises this harmonious symphony that binds all students , staff , families , alumni and extended members of the Scotch Family together .
Among these pages , you will be able to explore numerous stories that are testimony to the concept of ‘ uniting the journey ’ for all , starting with the historic achievements of our Scotch College Pipes and Drums teams at the World Pipe Band Championships and the World Solo Drumming Championships , with the whole Scotch community standing proud behind them . Despite the cold and wet weather , Family Day acted as the perfect embodiment for members of a collective , with all the different strata , to simply enjoy in unison each other ’ s company . The trio of events – Presentation Night , the Torch Ceremony and the Valedictory Dinner – signals the end of a journey for our Year 12 students , but also the continuation of their journey with us .
Outgoing OSCA President Mr Stephen Webster (’ 73 ) reminds us of the essence of the Cardinal Thread as ‘ an invisible connection that draws the Scotch Family together ’, with Mr Mike Sim (’ 78 ) President of the Scotch Foundation reflecting on how the Foundation and its ‘ very dedicated staff ’ help facilitate these connections to take place and lay the ground for a course that unites our students .
I also note individual stories in the Obituaries or ‘ What They ’ re Doing Now ’ sections , such as Graeme Tivey (’ 74 ) who , by dedicating his life to the service of others , in fact reminds us that each person plays a pivotal role in helping to shape and unite the journey for all .
I wanted to finish the editorial with this story . I was quite moved by the account of one of my students , Edward Jones ( Year 9 ), who wrote , as part of an English assignment , about his adapting to life in the boarding house . Despite some initial trepidations , Ed was able to feel more at ease in the school , knowing that his father Tom Jones (’ 85 ), who sadly passed away when he was very young , having attended Scotch , had therefore walked the same corridors , sat on the same benches in Memorial Hall , shared the same core values and even shared the same member of staff , Mr Tony Glover ! Such a lovely example of two separate journeys , but in fact united under the same Scotch banner , transcending time , reuniting in spirit father and son . This story alone should serve as inspiration for us all to continue uniting the journey for the sake of all of our students , made richer by the unique contribution a harmonious education at Scotch College has provided to them .
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OSCA CLUBS — Celebrate the Football Club ’ s Premier grade men ’ s and women ’ s premierships .
ARCHIVES — Fascinating insight into the daily life of William Robertson Skene ( SC 1863-68 ).