Great Scot April 2018 GreatScot_153_April_2018_Online | Page 9

ABOVE: YEAR 9 BOYS AT THE RETREAT academic paths that pique their interest. They can tread the boards or perhaps learn to operate the sound and lighting at this year’s school performances. They can study a new musical instrument under the guidance of truly gifted musicians. The adventurous can stretch themselves physically on the 24 Hour Hike, on cadet camp or on the various sports fields. Those who prefer a mental challenge can try out for an Olympiad in one of the sciences or in mathematics. The opportunities at Scotch are truly bountiful, and it’s great that so many of our boys grasp all they can during their relatively short time at the School. Sadly, however, for some reason or other, a few let the challenges pass them by. This failure, however, is true of adults as well as boys. You can take a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink. For some of us, we just want to remain in our comfort zones with those familiar faces and accustomed activities. However, by remaining in our safe and non-threatening spaces, we stop challenging ourselves and so lose out on the experience of being stretched and out of control. Chaplains’ Prayer Support Group THE CHAPLAINS’ PRAYER SUPPORT GROUP. BACK ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: DIEU VU, HAILAN MENG, LIZ BLAIR, JUNE SUTHERLAND, BRUCE SUTHERLAND (’48), SOPHIE ATHAN, GEORGIE KILROE-SMITH, CAROLINE BEISCHER AND AILSA WILSON. FRONT: CHAPLAINS DAVID ASSENDER AND DOUG CAMPBELL. Sometimes opportunities are avoided because we worry about what other people may think about us, or the reactions we might face. I really admi re those who quickly grasp an opportunity even though they know they may well struggle and face the inevitable opposition and brickbats. Who would want to be a football coach who treads a path fraught with challenges and the likelihood of vitriol, derision and the inevitable sacking? Every opportunity comes with some degree of risk. James Forbes faced many challenges when starting our School. He had a vision and saw the need for a school in Melbourne, but he needed to inspire and challenge others to share his vision and bring this idea into reality. After his resurrection from the dead, Jesus told his disciples to go into the world and make disciples from all nations. Jesus’ marching orders challenged those Galilean fishermen. These men could easily have been deterred by the sheer scale of the task. They may have pondered anew their own natural limitations and unsuitable temperaments. Yet Jesus challenged them to take the good news of God’s love to a society that had just crucified him on a cross. The known world lay before these friends of Jesus, and despite the real obstacles and challenges, they were obedient unto death. Empowered by God, these faithful followers shared a simple message, made disciples from all the nations and ‘turned the world upside down’. We continue to challenge the boys to grasp the opportunities about them and to do great and good things. May the words of the Apostle Paul inspire them and us: ‘I can do all things through [Christ] who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13, ESV) Scotch Family members — parents, grandparents and guardians of current and past Scotch boys, as well as Scotch staff — are warmly invited to consider joining the Chaplain’s Prayer Support Group. The group is an auxiliary of the Scotch Parents’ Association, and meets on Tuesdays during school term time, from 8.30-9.30am in the Boarders’ Dining Hall. It’s a special time of peace, fellowship, prayerful support of the Chaplains, and bringing the needs of the School and its community before God. If you’d like to participate in the group, simply sign in at reception in the Randall Building, Senior School, and walk up the Hill to the Dining Hall. More information: Georgie Kilroe-Smith on 0417 116 812 or [email protected]; or Liz Blair on 0423 776 984 or [email protected]. DAVID ASHTON www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot 9