A legacy of improving society through education
Scotch Council and legacy
Scotch College was founded in 1851 by the Presbyterian Church on the initiative of the first minister in Victoria, Reverend James Forbes.
As a Christian leader and scholar, Forbes was passionate about education and the opportunity for the Church to lead in the formation of young people for the betterment of society. Indeed, in addition to his Christian leadership, Reverend James Forbes continues to be renowned as an influential educational leader for his significant advancement of school education. Furthermore, the School was part of a global movement that understood learning and knowledge as the keys to solving humanity’ s most complex problems – the Scottish Enlightenment.
Reverend Forbes, like many of his contemporaries, believed that by helping young people understand the world, they would contribute to its improvement.
The Scottish Enlightenment was characterised by a surge in advancements across various fields such as philosophy, politics, engineering, architecture, medicine, sociology and law.
During this time, philosophers and scientists wrote about the power of education in shaping better citizens. They illuminated the links between egalitarian education regardless of background, and the progression of social justice and equality.
Since its establishment in 1851, Scotch College has grown from these principles. Today, more than ever, they remain at its core. Within the nurturing embrace of the wider Scotch Family, our boys are encouraged to think critically, act with integrity, be curious about the world and live a life of purposeful contribution.
This Strategic Plan is our commitment to embedding and deepening the core beliefs of our heritage within the ever-evolving modern context. It aims to ensure our legacy of producing young men of good character continues in an unbroken‘ Cardinal Thread’ to our future.
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