School Captain

Charlie Bevan School Captain

Although this year did not go as expected and we missed out on events like the Inter House Cross Country and Athletics, it made us a lot more grateful for everything that we could do.

We were very fortunate to be able to play out almost an entire Public Schools Association (PSA) Winter Sport season, especially since the chances of having one game were initially looking slim. The success of Scotch this year was undeniable, winning the Alcock Cup and Brother Redmond Cup, the Football and Rugby cups respectively, outright.

Rugby made it through the season undefeated, while Football only lost one game. The Cross Country team also had a very successful season, placing second. It is a testament to the hard work that boys across all levels put in, and I am very proud of the way we all represented our school. None of this would have been possible without the organisation and planning of Mr Foster and Headmaster Dr O’Connell, and on behalf of all the boys I would like to express my appreciation. Additionally, I would like to thank all the coaches for their commitment to the school.

Scotch’s investment in the Indigenous community was once again demonstrated during our NAIDOC Week. With the Indigenous flag proudly painted on the top oval and the traditional smoking ceremony, Friday Marching was a special event that combined our school’s heritage with Australia’s extensive Indigenous culture. At Assembly, we were fortunate enough to have Neville Collard give a Welcome to Country, and guest speaker Alicia Janz talk about her journey as an Indigenous woman playing sport at the top level.

This year saw the production We Will Rock You, a Queen-inspired musical that showcased the enormous talent in the Scotch and PLC community. Everyone rose to the challenge to pull off some of Freddie Mercury’s songs, which is certainly not easy to do. Innumerable hours were put into planning and rehearsing for the performance, and I commend all the staff and students involved.

Since the beginning of Autumn Term, we have been able to enjoy the new Mathematics and Commerce Building. It has quickly become one of the most popular areas of the school, housing the new lecture theatre, Year 12 common room and of course the best quality table tennis station. For reasons beyond explanation, table tennis has taken over the school, with boys spending every spare second to get in a rally. Just in Winter Term, we have already had two table tennis tournaments, and I am quite certain that they will not be the last. The new building has become the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) of table tennis venues at Scotch, so you can always expect there to be a crowd of people at any given moment.

One of the hardest things to do as a teenage boy is to talk about your mental health. During Chapel in Men’s Health Week, myself and three Year 11 students, Brenton Macauley, Josh Ledger and Terry Zhou, talked about our experiences with COVID-19 and the effect it had on us and our family. All three boys had to deal with adversity very differently, and the courage they had to open up to the school was fantastic, and demonstrated to everyone that there does not need to be stigma around these conversations. This term we also had R U OK? Week, which once again focused on encouraging discussions with your mates and checking in on them if you notice that they are acting differently. No one is ever going to be feeling one hundred per cent all the time, but if you know that your mates are there to support you it makes the world of difference.

All in all, the past semester has been a very busy one, having to cram in events that we could not do in Autumn Term due to restrictions. There was never a dull moment, and personally, it has been one of the most enjoyable semesters thus far. As the schooling journey draws to a close for the Year 12s, I would like to thank everyone for their involvement in the school and their contribution in making this year one to remember.

Max Jones Student Council

Ferguson House marching during Scotch’s NAIDOC Week, photograph: Pixel Poetry

Embrace the Tradition, Forge a Legacy

The theme chosen by the Year 12 2020 cohort, ‘forging a legacy’, stood out strongly for me.

You may have asked, how am I supposed to forge a legacy? You may not be in a 1st team, be a straight A student, play an instrument or be in the Pipe Band.

When wondering how they can forge their own legacy at Scotch, boys constantly overlook the impact of their own behaviour on others. It is the intangible effect you cannot see or record, but you can feel, and it can make a massive difference to others.

At Scotch, there is an array of different interests, hobbies and backgrounds amongst the students and staff. You will not get along with or share the same interests as everyone you come across, but you can never underestimate how a small act can leave a legacy in someone else’s mind. I have learnt that a legacy can start as something small. Stopping to have a chat with someone you know is struggling, making time for someone younger than you, always following up on your word with actions or sharing your lunch box with the boarders who are always eager for a home-cooked meal. These are all examples of small actions that can make people feel good and make the Scotch environment even more friendly.

My personal example happened in Year 9. I was considering the Round Square exchange programme – a daunting thought. Andrew Burvill, the then School Captain, made time for me, in between his leadership and Year 12 commitments, to sit down and chat about his own exchange experience. This small gesture for a frightened Year 9 boy made all the difference and gave me the confidence to apply for an exchange. To me, Andrew left a legacy about the kind of young man he was and the importance of making others feel valued. It may just be the legacy of being a good bloke that you leave behind. Take it from me, I do not always get this right, however over my years at this school I have watched people do small things that are great. Playing a shepherd for someone else, asking a mate how he is going on a busy day, showing genuine interest in others’ passions that are not your own, or standing up for someone who is not there to stand up for themselves. These small but significant actions leave a legacy for all those involved and show how kind, meaningful behaviour towards others is sometimes worth more than you think.

So, when deciding how you can make your legacy on this College, you do not always need to look for the limelight. Think simply – check up on your mates, take pride in your own and others’ passions and look for opportunities to support and guide others regardless of their year group, interests or backgrounds.

By just being a good bloke during your time at Scotch, you may leave a much bigger legacy than you ever intended.