Great Scot April 2019 Great Scot_156_April_2019_Online | Page 23

Upper School
Mr Tim Rayner – Head of Upper School
Boys are seen, and heard
MR TIM RAYNER
HEAD OF UPPER SCHOOL
Giving our boys the opportunity to
have a voice in the School community
should not be overlooked. The days of
children being seen and not heard, with
teachers blissfully ignoring the genuine
thoughts and opinions of their charges,
are well and truly past — and for good
reason.
Allowing boys to have a say enables
us to have insight into their hopes
and aspirations. Those who have
opportunities to express their voices have
a greater sense of belonging; but also, if
the evidence is to believed, have more
self-worth and engagement than those
whose voices are either not heard or are
immediately dismissed.
Of course, boys will not want to
express their voices if they feel they have
no relationship with those who want to
listen. Building relationships with boys
is central to our teaching at Scotch, and
teachers are aware of the importance
of relational learning to foster an
environment of cooperation, respect and
learning. The willingness for teachers to
strike up conversations, be interested, and
listen, is crucial if boys are to engage with
the adults around them.
Starting every morning, as boys open
their lockers, Heads of Houses will be
close by. Questions can be asked and
pleasantries exchanged – relationships
are built on such small talk. In tutor
group time, discussions are encouraged
and viewpoints heard. Daily notices are
read and boys hear what is happening in
their School. Regular House meetings
enable boys to voice their opinions and
feel involved; decisions are made and
suggestions sometimes challenged, but
the boys feel very much a part of where
the House is heading. Heads of House
meet regularly and act on valuable
suggestions.
Understanding the health and pulse
of a large school community can be
challenging, so every semester boys
complete class surveys. These surveys
enable boys to comment on areas such
as whether their ideas and opinions are
respected, or if a boy finds it easy to
participate and contribute in class. Each
response is anonymous and the content of
each survey is fed back to teachers, Heads
of Department and our Director of
Research, Teaching and Learning. Such
engagement enables teachers to reflect
and improve.
More recently, a Boys’ Voice
Committee has been formed. This
meets regularly with the sole purpose
of listening to student ideas and input.
Comprising our School Captain, Vice
Captain, Captain of the Hill and senior
staff, the group puts forward issues which
move our boys. Our School leaders busy
themselves by speaking to as many of
their peers as possible, from across all age
groups, to seek out how our School may
be improved. This has included feedback
on external courses, suggestions for a new
course for Year 10, or ideas for a charity
fundraising event. As you may imagine,
contributions can be diverse.
In the final year of school, for Year
12, the Class of 2019 Committee
consisting of House Vice Captains,
Scott Montgomery, our OSCA Executive
Director, and me, meets regularly to
discuss matters affecting our Year 12
boys. This group puts forward ways to
raise money for the Class of 2019 gift to
the School, and also discusses events and
programs for our Year 12 participation.
But it also has a firm eye on the years
beyond Scotch College. Indeed, the Old
Scotch Symphony Orchestra came about
because boys wished to continue playing
and performing their music together,
once they had left Year 12. The Music
School, together with OSCA, listened
to their dilemma and we now have an
established orchestra playing concerts
every year.
www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot
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