Great Scot December 2019 Great Scot 158_December_ONLINE | Page 31

SCOTCH BOYS WITH STUDENTS FROM OTHER SCHOOLS AT THE STUDENT VOICE FORUM
Student Voice Forum for 56 Years 9 and
10 students from Trinity Grammar, MLC,
Ashwood High School, Salesian College
Chadstone, Camberwell High School, Bialik
College, Camberwell Girls’ Grammar School
and Glen Waverley Secondary College. In the
weeks leading to the forum, four boys – Alex
Meggitt, Nicholas Chan, Mitchell Chang and
John Tsironis – worked diligently to prepare
for what we believed was a sustainable and
worthy project.
'The creative process included gathering
and synthesising information from other voice
forums to create an informative yet enjoyable
day. We decided the key theme was to be
centred around identity, and encapsulated
themes such as the role of bystanders, peer
pressure, stereotypes and everyday consent.
Our message quite simply was to encourage
boys to ask themselves "What is your
identity?"
'The day was highly successful, and as a
team we gained a great deal of satisfaction.
The outcome was everything we had strived
for, and it was a positive and eye-opening
experience from which everyone learned.'
NICHOLAS CHAN and ALEX MEGGITT
'After the very successful Year 10 Scotch/
MLC Respectful Relationships Day earlier
in the year, in which students from Scotch
and MLC talked about respect, maturity and
the future, a program focusing on issues
pertaining to the Year 8 students was set
in place, based on an action plan from the
Student Voice Forum.
'In a comparable format to the current Big
Ideas discussion, sessions emphasised the
value of interaction between different year
levels, including the added expectations and
heightened sense of independence when
transitioning to the Senior School.
'Once a week, Year 10 students, already
trained as respectful relationships leaders,
ran tailored sessions with the Form Groups of
Year 8 boys. The boys discussed everything
from the fun, friendship and future goals that
can develop in every boy in the House system
next year, to more serious matters such as
mental health for adolescent boys, primarily
concentrating on seeking help when it is
needed; peer pressure, which is especially
relevant throughout adolescence; current
forms of discrimination; establishing a sense
of personal strength; and managing their
current sources of stress.
'The program exposed the students to
a variety of perspectives which encouraged
them to scrutinise the ideas of the majority,
allowing them to establish an informed
perspective. Much emphasis was also placed
on realising and cherishing the unique identity
of every boy, while simultaneously promoting
a community that triumphs not just over
House points but over culture and harmony.
'The Year 10 and 8 respectful relationships
mentoring addressed many of the concerns of
the younger students, and provided them with
first-hand experience of the upper year levels.
'In a world of opportunity that awaits
Middle School boys, this program aims
to ensure all students can start off in the
Senior School ready to achieve across every
aspect of school – academically as well as
in sport and other activities – by building a
caring support structure strengthened by the
relationships and common goals we aspire
for. We would like to express our sincere
gratitude to Ms Gates for organising such an
invaluable opportunity that is a win-win for all.'
RYAN AHL and LUKE O’BRIEN
www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot
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