Great Scot April 2019 Great Scot_156_April_2019_Online | Page 29

Vice Captain
Strongly united
through the
power of voice
STONE KE
SCHOOL VICE CAPTAIN
out of what are actually just temporary
hardships.
Perhaps we can begin to weave a more
fortified fabric, drawn from the challenges
we face every day. We need to look on each
day as another gift, a further opportunity
to reinforce our foundations, to lay another
brick. One day, we too might become like
Cologne Cathedral — defiant, resilient,
and able to rise above adversity.
Allow me a final reference to this
metaphor. The people of Cologne say that
when the cathedral is finally completed —
for it is constantly being renewed — the
world will end. Boys, let us never take
ourselves too seriously; let us continue to
build the foundations of a life in which we
never stop learning, always take pleasure
in turning interests into passions, and
never cease from striving to work for the
betterment of the world in which we live.
NICK MARKS – SCHOOL CAPTAIN
The core instrument for individuals to
exercise influence within a larger group
is their voice. It is this expression of
someone’s free will within a forum where
their views can be respectfully considered
that forms the basis of a democratic
system — a system where each person not
only has power over their own person but
has the capability of stimulating change
in the broader collective.
At Scotch, I believe that if a boy
wishes to engage in discourse over any
matter there are established avenues open
to him — whether on the tutor, House,
or broader school level. Our School
welcomes input from its students, and
actively encourages boys’ voice.
If boys choose not to immerse
themselves in discussion of issues
existing within the School and in the
wider community, there is a danger that
they will become ignorant of — and
even worse, indifferent to — matters
over which they could otherwise be
passionate. Any such ignorance is tragic,
but even worse is the tragedy that lies
within ignorance — the surrender of the
privilege of voice, making boys’ influence
as individuals irrelevant.
In acknowledging these perils, I urge
our boys simply to open themselves up
to discussion; to be unafraid to raise
their voices to communicate what they
believe and, in turn, to be accepting of
the opinions of others. This ongoing
exchange of ideas is the vehicle by which
we are able to formulate developed
opinions which are truly our own.
Beyond the academic and sporting
spheres, this promotion of growth in the
identity of each boy is the most valuable
education offered by any school. While it
may seem that our society’s preoccupation
with performance and quantifiable
achievement as a form of measurement
against others is central to a modern boy’s
schooling, I would contend that fostering
confidence in individuality is more
important.
While Scotch has always found
strength in its unity, it finds even
greater strength as a united collection
of distinctive individuals.
STONE KE – SCHOOL VICE CAPTAIN
www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot
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