EDITORIAL
CHRISTOPHE TAYLOR
EDITOR GREAT SCOT
Upon our students ’ return through the school gates back in February , it became rapidly apparent that a shift had occurred in the playground ; a transformation that many of us had noticed , without necessarily being able to exactly pinpoint the source . On reflection , the change was certainly of an aural nature : our Scotch boys were louder , the sounds around the Quad were more pronounced and the reverberations of laughter were distinctly audible .
Yes , the school ’ s new restrictions on mobile phones were having a direct impact : the correlation between less screen time and social interactions was obviously manifest . These observations took place just a day after we heard from Louka Parry , CEO and Founder of The Learning Future and Dr Anne Knock during our Professional Development Day about the importance of reintroducing the ‘ human ’ element into education . Well , what better example than watching our boys at play , interacting , running , sharing their humanity rather than having their heads down hooked onto their devices ?
This edition of Great Scot explores how human ties within our community can help forge character . Beyond the utilitarian aspect , as a school we aim to introduce
a narrative that is richer and ultimately equips our students with lifelong attributes such as tenacity and resilience . Many of the articles focus on how we engage the learner , who by gaining agency , is able to discern truth , make good , wise decisions as well as pursue beauty in all his present and future endeavours .
Our Principal , Dr Scott Marsh , clearly outlines , in his speech to staff , how learning with a focus on beauty , goodness and truth ‘ engenders wonder ’ as well as ‘ deep and complex thinking ’. This notion is also elaborated upon by our Chaplain , the Rev . David Assender , who explores the philosophy of the transcendentals , which helps to develop and elevate ‘ the human spirit ’, another mention of this profound resurgence to inject human traits within an education realm overloaded with and preoccupied by discussions on technology and use of artificial intelligence .
In these pages you will certainly find a lot to celebrate , due to the warmth of those very passionate members of our Scotch community , particularly with the $ 1.1 million raised by the Scotch Foundation through your generosity in just 24 hours , to fund the Goolagong- Cawley First Nations Scholarship . The Foundation ’ s fiftieth anniversary history book , Where They Towers Thou Proudly Rearest , contains numerous examples of the school ’ s commitment to helping facilitate societal progress and typifies the acts of goodness central to our ethos .
I am delighted to share our extensive feature article on the House Chorals Competition . Looking at this annual event from a variety of angles helps us to reflect on the vital role singing together , in all its beauty , can act as a cathartic and uniting force from the onset of the academic year .
In addition to the contribution of Tom Savill , Vice Principal – Head of Junior School , with the restructure of the school you will notice the introduction of new permanent columns from Kristy Irwin , our Vice Principal – Teaching and Learning , Katrina Brennan , our Vice Principal – Head of Senior School , alongside Adam Somes , our Director of Co-Curricular , with the addition of an interview with Emma Gates , in her new role as Head of Years 9 and 10 .
The Arts , Drama and Music pages certainly convey the exposure and opportunities our students have to explore beauty and truth . On the logistical side , Tim Shearer (’ 85 ), Head of Advancement , reminds us of the role played by the school in its contributions to ‘ breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty ’ thanks to scholarships and opportunities provided . This is a sentiment echoed by OSCA President Stephen Webster (’ 73 ), who brings to mind ‘ the work of the school to produce successive generations of men with good character who shape the world ’, such as Laureate Professor Hugh Taylor AC (’ 64 ) whose achievements include improving the eye health of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people , and whose other achievements can be read in our ‘ What They ’ re Doing Now ’ section . So yes , these three values of beauty , goodness and truth might seem abstract or even ambitious , but I certainly hope that after reading this edition of Great Scot , your heart is warmed and comforted by the numerous transcending stories that certainly illustrate how these values are very real , and in fact constitute the essence of the Scotch spirit .
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FOUNDATION — Discover Errington Retreat – where our boarders can socialise , work out and study
OSCA — See the names of those who received OSCA Honorary Life Membership , and Merit Awards
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ARCHIVES — Revealed - the role played by Scotch boys in the founding of Sydney ’ s Knox Grammar School