Great Scot April 2018 GreatScot_153_April_2018_Online | Page 3

Editorial DURGA KAMTE EDITOR GREAT SCOT In the course of researching online the origin of the maxim, ‘with great power comes great privilege’ I was amused by the level of debate as contributors to an online forum ascribed it to persons as disparate as Winston Churchill, Voltaire and ‘Uncle Ben’ from the Marvel Spiderman comics. I would suggest that the philosophical foundation of this maxim is best articulated in Luke 12:48 – ‘ From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.’ Scotch boys, through a variety of programs including the Year 9 Retreat and the Immersion Program for boys in Year 11, are aware of their responsibilities as privileged members of society, and are provided with a wide range of opportunities to give back to those in their 30 24 Hour Hike Raising funds for the Tiwi College Boys' Academy Room Project community. This giving takes many forms: fundraising through casual clothes days, barbecues and house auctions for designated charities, and longer-term commitments to projects advancing educational opportunities in Chipapa and Tiwi College. The challenges of our time are complex and multifaceted, and finding solutions requires commitment and the ability to persuade others to join forces in bringing about better outcomes. Our boys recognise the prevalence of sexist language and have shown their determination to challenge stereotypical attitudes. In the IGCSE Global Perspectives class, boys tackle real world challenges ranging from racial and religious discrimination, the effect of social media in political discourse, to food waste and recycling. By analysing a range of global perspectives, they collaboratively devise an outcome to share their awareness with others in the School community. The challenges boys encounter relate not just as they interact with the experiences of others, but affect their own future as they contemplate a rapidly changing work landscape. The School has provided them with many opportunities, and it is hoped these will fit them with the knowledge, skills and resilience to turn these challenges into opportunities to determine their own future directions. Scotch boys have been presented with a wealth of opportunities and stimulating challenges, as they begin to learn through 48 experimentation and collaboration in Scotch’s superb new Spencer Centre for Design and Technology. Officially opened on a beautiful summer morning in February, the new centre enables the burgeoning subject of Design and Technology to be taught in one purpose-built facility. The finishing touches to the Spencer Centre were completed over the summer months, but that was by no means all that went on at the School while boys and staff enjoyed a well-earned break. It was an excellent opportunity to streamline projects and take on large-scale works right across the campus, all of which will ultimately contribute to the excellence of Scotch’s educational offering. In this issue, OSCA Executive Director, Scott Montgomery interviews Ashley Vines – Vice Captain of the School in his VCE year of 2011 — and described then by the Principal Mr Tom Batty as ‘a natural, happy and willing young man who has made an enormous impact at Scotch, beyond his formal positions’. Now studying for a Master of Economics degree at the University of Sydney, Ashley has been awarded a 2018 Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship, under which he will receive funding for his studies, as well as intensive leadership training and membership of a network of supportive alumni. Ashley is just another excellent example of an Old Scotch Collegian who relishes challenges and turns t hem into opportunities. 66 Property Department's busy season It was all happening over the Sharing traditions and cultures A second succesful summer holidays celebration of Chinese New Year www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot 3