Editorial
DURGA KAMTE EDITOR , GREAT SCOT
As the Year 12s of the Class of 2017 leave the gates of Morrison Street , they carry with them memories of a school that represents enduring traditions dating back to the school ’ s founding fathers , who sought to provide ‘ an education of a humane , scientific and general nature consistent with the teachings of Christianity ’. These traditions remain unchanged , and show themselves to be consistent with those of a forward-thinking , 21st Century school that ( as articulated in the Scotch Vision statement ) ‘ opens boys ’ minds to the rich diversity of the world in which they live ’ by promoting ‘ a sense of responsibility and respect for others .’
Musing on the theme of diversity and acceptance , I was struck by the relevance
of the paired comparative texts Year 12 boys have studied in English this year . Eastwood ’ s biopic Invictus , based on the achievements of Nelson Mandela in bringing about reconciliation in South Africa , and David Malouf ’ s Ransom , which reimagines Homer ’ s Iliad , set in the final stages of the Trojan War , are both explorations of the ability of individuals to set aside personal prejudices – however difficult this may be – and accept the common humanity of those who hold differing perspectives . The elderly king of Troy , overwrought by the desecration of his son ’ s corpse by the mighty warrior Achilles , nonetheless seeks common ground with him , not as a king but as a common man and father to achieve a temporary truce . Mandela ’ s innate humility and his ability to forgive representatives of the oppressive apartheid regime , even accepting the value they placed on sport , were instrumental in uniting a ‘ rainbow nation ’.
As the pages of this edition represent visually , and in the words of many contributors , Scotch is a school that does not just pay lip service , but genuinely values and embraces diversity . Boys from the Class of 2017 are to be congratulated on their initiative in creating an Acceptance and Diversity Committee , their frank discussions with boys about the effects of ill-considered language , and their concern in ensuring each boy is valued . Acceptance of diversity goes well beyond race , religion and ideology , but equally embraces the broad range of passions and interests of our boys . Celebrated in these pages are artistic and musical talents , skills in debating and chemistry , interests in psychology and literature , and a strong passion for social justice .
The Scotch Foundation pages of this edition include the final report of the retiring Foundation President , Michael Robinson (‘ 55 ), in which he reflects warmly on the support provided so readily by the Scotch Family , which helped to fund the purchase of the Hawthorn site for Scotch more than 100 years ago , and has ensured that the school has continued to grow and develop ever since . Endorsing Michael ’ s remarks , Director of Development , Tim Shearer , lists the four pillars through which the Scotch community can enable so much to happen at Scotch .
Incoming President of the Old Scotch Collegians ’ Association , Andrew Crawford (‘ 89 ), sees one of the key objectives of his presidential year as improving and expanding OSCA ’ s reach ; in particular through the OSCAnet website and social media . Over the past year , four Old Boys – Hal Oxley (‘ 33 ), Sir Lenox Hewitt (‘ 33 ), Arthur Atkins (‘ 35 ) and Herbert Purton (‘ 35 ) – have joined our oldest known living Old Boy , 102-yearold Bill Morgan in the exclusive Old Scotch centenarians ’ club . Bill Morgan ’ s 102nd birthday was well celebrated at Scotch on 26 October , when nine of our 25 oldest known living Old Boys gathered for morning tea . On 15 October , 201 men and boys from three generations gathered at Scotch for a remarkable group photo , which appears in this edition .
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Our A grade debating champions
Scotch team triumphs in a major debating competition
Scotch Family makes it happen Generous support for the school for more than a century
Three generations gather Boys , fathers , grandfathers gather for a unique photo opportunity
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