Great Scot April 2019 Great Scot_156_April_2019_Online | Page 56

Boarding
BOYS’
VOICES
RESONATE
ON THE
HILL
It often surprises me that the wider Scotch Family is unaware of the
existence of the community of boys and staff that resides on campus
here in Hawthorn. ‘The Hill’, as it is affectionately known, is home to
more than 200 people, with boys and staff (and their families) living on
the Scotch grounds and sharing the joys and challenges of living in
community. We are a self-sufficient little society up here on the Hill, with
our own laundry, hospital and dining facility.
Any society, in order to thrive, requires considered input from all
members and an opportunity to discuss, debate and engage with the
parameters under which they live. Boys of all ages and backgrounds, from
Year 7 to Year 12, are encouraged to put forward ideas and suggestions
on how they can improve the Hill environment. While involved in some
of the decision-making processes, they are also taking responsibility for
their own behaviour and interactions, and through a genuine avenue to
express their voice, they feel both engaged and respected.
One of many such avenues is the Boarders’ Food Committee. I am
sure many a parent has found it challenging to meet the demands of
feeding hungry teenage boys. When you multiply this by more than 150
boys, the challenge, as one could imagine, becomes considerable. It is
here that the Food Committee plays an important role in providing an
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Great Scot Number 156 – April 2019
avenue for boys to exercise their voice. Twice a term, boys and catering
staff come together to discuss the menu and food options, with boys
providing much needed insight into how they view the total culinary
experience.
The input of the Food Committee has led to numerous changes in
the boys’ dining arrangements. Changes to menu items, the introduction
of a hot morning tea in the day school, improved condiments and better
serving arrangements are some of the boys’ ideas. Theme nights have
been dreamt up, and in consultation with the Head Chef, new menus
developed. Favourite dishes have been added, and not so favourite
dishes removed. (The infamous fish taco springs to mind.)
However, it is not only food where boys have a considered and
valued input into their living experience. For example, boys are engaged
in deciding on the nature and scope of weekend activities, and we have
entertained some interesting suggestions over recent years. I am not sure
the Curator would welcome turning the Rugby and McKendrick Ovals into
a part-time golf driving range; nor the suggestion for a permanent elevator
at the bottom of the Hill to help the daily commute to the day school.
Nevertheless, other ideas and inputs have been well considered, such
as the recent renovations to the Dining Hall, which included a number