CAPTAINS ' CORNER EARLY IN THE SCHOOL YEAR , THE SCHOOL CAPTAIN , THE SCHOOL AT ASSEMBLIES . HERE ARE EXTRACTS
TAKE PRIDE IN BEING A MEMBER OF THE SCOTCH FAMILY
For many , welcome back to your school . I hope that your holidays were enjoyable , and a good time to relax and recharge the batteries for the year ahead ; but importantly , especially for the Year 12s ,
I hope it was a productive break as well . For those who are joining us this year , who had the privilege of walking through the Monash Gates for the first time – welcome to our Scotch community , the Scotch Family as we lovingly refer to it .
To the Year 12s – good luck for the year ahead . VCE is not an easy time , nor is it meant to be . It is a daunting task to look ahead to : you will face adversity , you will stumble on the way , and many of you will feel stuck . My advice – pick yourself up , dust yourself off , and keep working hard ; consistency is key . Most importantly , Year 12 is more than just books and study , so I urge you to make the most of your final year at Scotch . Enjoy the little things , the things you take for granted here ; those are the things you will miss the most – singing in Mem Hall , being a part of the Red Army , sport with your mates on Saturdays . Enjoy them all .
Over the holidays , when thinking about returning here , to a school in which I have the honour and privilege of being School Captain , I thought ahead and wondered , what will this year look like ? Will it be the same ? I ’ m sure , in many ways our experiences here through the year will be like last year , and like the years that have gone before that . Undoubtedly , our classes will continue , our orchestra will keep playing brilliantly , Saturdays will be filled with the sounds of friendly sporting competitions – and , of course , Selby Smith and Forbes will bring up the rear in the Cock House .
But I ask all of you , how will you make this year different ? What will you change ? Will you finally take part in the 24-Hour Hike or join the debating team ? Maybe you will start playing the guitar or find water polo is the sport for you ?
Boys , now is the time for self-discovery , the time for personal development . Take every opportunity , embrace every challenge , as it is through adversity , through change , through new experiences that we reveal our true character . Whether in the classroom , on the Main Oval or in the James Forbes Academy , let us all push our boundaries , strive to be our best selves , and emerge from our Scotch journeys stronger and wiser , as resilient , respectful young men .
As we embark on journeys to find ourselves , let us not forget the importance of contributing to things that are bigger than ourselves as individuals . Scotch has a rich tradition of instilling in all a sense of responsibility , to our school , to each other and to our community . We are more than just individuals ; we are part of something much bigger . My challenge to you all is to seek out ways in which you individually , through your interests and passions , can make a positive impact on our world and seek out ways to uplift those around you .
Throughout the year , I urge you to be beacons of integrity , of leadership and of kindness . Inspire those around you , support those in need , so together we can build and create a culture of empathy , understanding and inclusivity .
In the words of Winston Churchill , ‘ we make a living by what we get , but we make a life by what we give ’. Let us all strive to make our lives meaningful by giving back to our school , to our community , and to the support networks we rely on . As we navigate through the twists and turns of the year ahead , through the challenges and triumphs we will face , let us all do so with a spirit of unity , purpose and a shared commitment to the greater good , the shared commitment to something far bigger than you or me .
Scotch is more than a school . It is more than just a place of learning ; it is a family . Our traditions and our past tie in to our present and our future . As we stand on the shoulders of the boys that have gone before us , let us also provide shoulders to the boys around us and for those who come after us . That is the essence of family . We all work together , to foster growth , to make our family , our school , a better place .
Be proud of our school . Be proud of its past and look to the future with anticipation and excitement . Be proud to be a Scotchie . Be proud to be a part of the family .
And who knows , Mr Karakoussis may finally lead Selby Smith to a top six finish , but I wouldn ’ t hold my breath .
Thank you all , and I look forward to seeing a lot more of you over this coming year . MATTHEW CALLAGHAN – SCHOOL CAPTAIN
30 Great Scot Issue 171 – Edition 1 2024