Great Scot September 2018 Gt Scot_154_September_online | Page 25

Upper School
Mr Tim Rayner – Head of Upper School
Sowing the seeds of
service to others
MR TIM RAYNER
HEAD OF UPPER SCHOOL
In the Scotch College Student Record
Book, under Aims of Scotch College, is
the statement: ‘The School encourages
students to see that a life can only be
lived fully if it is lived in service to other
people.’ The power and profundity of
this aim is hard to overstate. It is this
very concept of service that many of our
Old Boys have chosen to pursue, some
achieving national recognition along the
way. Ensuring this tradition continues
with our younger generations is a weighty
responsibility, but one we see as being of
prime importance.
Our Christian Education program is
at the core of instilling in the boys a desire
to think of the greater good and to begin
to learn, through Christian ideals, of the
potential each has in making a positive
difference by serving others. Through
the teachings of Christ, boys discuss their
roles as young men in our community. In
Year 9, boys consider the inherent value of
each individual. In Year 10, in examining
social justice, they look at their role in
working for the betterment of others and
helping people who are less fortunate than
themselves. By looking at current issues
in our world, Christian Education lessons
make our boys aware of the challenges
facing young people, but also offer them
solutions in helping to improve our society.
Our now established Year 11
Immersion offers boys a range of choices,
including the opportunity to work in
a remote Indigenous community at
Nepabunna, South Australia. Travelling
in the final week of Term 3 and
accompanied by three teachers, boys will
spend a week on the Immersion.
Working in cooperation with others
for the benefit of all, boys will participate
AS PART OF THE CHILDREN AND FAMILY IMMERSION PROGRAM, YEAR 11 BOYS ENGAGE WITH TRAINEE
MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS
in outdoor projects such as fencing,
environmental work and the repair and
maintenance of community property.
Along the way, boys will learn about
Indigenous culture and work closely with
the Adnyamathanha community. Such
programs help to improve awareness and
develop respect of other Australians, but
also inspire our boys in what they can do
once they join the adult world.
Outside of our Immersion, boys
can also select to join our Amnesty
International group, run by Dr Reifarth.
Here boys consider pressing social issues
from across the globe, and are active in
protecting fundamental human rights.
Networking with other schools, our
boys participate in creating a voice for
those who may otherwise not be heard.
Additionally, boys can also serve within
their own communities. Every year, Year
12 boys assist with the running of our
Middle School Sports Program, helping
with training and acting as positive role
models for our younger boys. This year
we have more than 30 Year 12 boys giving
valuable time to their younger peers.
Finding time is always a challenge
when it comes to delivering an effective
service program, particularly when our
academic curriculum remains critical. Yet,
it is important that we regularly pause
and take stock of what we do as a school,
reflecting on our work and the seeds we
have sown in the young men who leave
our campus.
www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot
25