Meet Your Leaders

Hear from our 2021 student leaders as they speak to their Scotch College experience and what makes a leader.

Josh Ledger School Captain

I came to Scotch in 2015 as a Year 6 student from Freshwater Bay Primary School, along with incoming Vice-Captain of School (Operations) Jarvis Banfield.

What does it mean to be a leader at Scotch? What I have learnt most about leadership at Scotch is the importance of leading by example. It doesn’t take one person to lead the school, it is a team effort and requires a lot of involvement from everyone within the cohort. It is a privilege to be a part of that team. It is important to understand this, and lead amongst, not from above. I am incredibly honoured to be in a leadership position and I am excited to get into next year. I have big shoes to fill following in the footsteps of our current School Captain Charlie Bevan. I hope to carry on the high standards he has set and bring something of my own to the role.

Simon Arnott Vice-Captain of School (Service)

I came to Scotch from South Africa in Year 3 before leaving the following year, only to return as a Year 8.

How does service inform who we are as a community? Service comes in a variety of forms – direct, indirect and advocacy. Service provides us, the community, with the opportunity to be involved. Whether it be directly through our actions and being physically present or through giving money, time and resources that will allow others to continue their work.

Jarvis Banfield Vice-Captain of School (Operations)

I came to Scotch in Year 6 in 2015 after finishing my primary schooling at Freshwater Bay. I was lucky enough to already have some friends at Scotch, so this made for a very supportive and comfortable transition into the College.

What is your most classic ‘Scotch’ moment? Since Year 6 I have been a part of the Scotch Swim Team. During this time Scotch has usually placed towards the bottom end of the Public Schools Association (PSA) Inter School Swimming Competition. But this year with new coach, Head of Swimming Ryan Steenkamp, everyone in the team stepped up their training, continuously strived to better their times, and a strong team spirit evolved. One of my most classic Scotch moments was when the Swim Team jumped from seventh to third place in one year on the Inter School swimming night. This result was such a reward for the team’s effort and highlights what Scotch boys are capable of when they put their minds to something.

Through the avenue of service, we look to grow ourselves as a community, making those around us stronger or providing aide and assistance to others in our community when they need it. As through our actions, this is how we are depicted; our identity is shaped by who we are within our community and our outlook toward the wider school, state and national communities.

Jim Allan Head of Student Council

I started at Scotch in Year 7 in Middle School.

You can change one thing about Scotch. What would it be? As a member of both the Middle and Senior sub-schools, I’ve come to realise that Scotch College is more than just the students and staff involved in their respective sub-schools. Something I feel can be improved upon in the College would be the cohesion and interaction between the Junior, Middle and Senior sub-schools. I believe boys from each should take time to share experiences with students from other parts of the school, such as being involved with fundraisers from different sub-schools or just playing sport with other boys. This will lead to stronger relationships between boys that would not have previously interacted, which I believe is a must for a positive and cohesive student body and will strengthen the school’s wellbeing and culture.

Brenton Macauley Boarding Captain

I began at Scotch in 2017 when I was in Year 8.

What is one thing about Boarding that would surprise people? Boarding can be a daunting experience for kids coming in, however I believe you would find the connection we have throughout the year groups, and especially Years 7 and 12, very surprising. Over the past five to ten years you wouldn’t really see a Year 7 having a laugh with a Year 12 because that’s just how it was. Most boys now are very easy and outgoing people who are approachable and would love to have a chat with younger years. We also have diverse cultures at Scotch with boys coming from all over the world, including places such as China, Singapore, Katanning, Northam, Broome, the Wheatbelt and more. You would find that we have a lot of respect for different cultures because that is something we pride ourself on and enjoy about living in a diverse Boarding House with people we are making friends with for the rest of our lives.

Teacher Feature

Junior School | Olivia Creagh

Began in 2012 Year 4 Teacher

How did you end up at Scotch and what do you do here? I am a Year 4 teacher in the Junior School, and this is my 14th year of teaching. Before working at Scotch, I taught various year levels in Kalgoorlie and Merredin.

If you were not a teacher, what would you be? I love to travel so I would probably like to be a travel agent or travel writer.

What is the funniest thing that has ever happened in your classroom? There are so many funny things that happen in the classroom; it is hard to pick one! The boys make me laugh often and brighten my day.

How does Scotch stand out compared to your previous workplaces? Scotch has a lovely community and wonderful traditions. The staff are very supportive and there are many excellent professional development opportunities. I enjoy working within the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme as it encourages students to be independent thinkers and make a positive difference in our world. The boys are fantastic, and they make each day fun and exciting!

School can be stressful. How do you keep calm? I love yoga and practice several times a week. Yoga helps me relax after a busy day at work and I have enjoyed so many benefits as a result of a regular practice.

I also enjoy going for walks along the river and catching up with friends for a coffee.

What do you get up to outside of Scotch? I am an avid moviegoer and enjoy seeing musicals and concerts. I love reading and relish the opportunity to relax with a good book. I look forward to visiting our family farm during the holidays and spending time with my nieces and nephews. I usually travel overseas a couple of times a year and love spending time planning my next adventure!

Middle School | Gill Youngleson

Began in 2009 Head of Academic Support Middle School

How did you end up at Scotch and what do you do here? Prior to teaching at Scotch, I taught at Hale School and Christ Church Grammar School, teaching senior school English. I was given a Year 9 literacy support class at Christ Church, and found that I loved teaching and developing a rapport with these boys. It required a different skillset and I felt confident in the role. When a job for a support teacher was advertised at Scotch, I applied.

If you were not a teacher, what would you be? I would have liked to be a clinical psychologist or a GP in another life.

What is the funniest thing that has ever happened in your classroom? Teaching boys requires a sense of humour. One of the moments I remember, which made me vaguely hysterical, was when wobbly stools were introduced to our classrooms in Middle School. It took one go for both myself and the education assistant to fall off the stools which filled the boys with mirth.

School can be stressful. How do you keep calm? I have routines which I keep, including a strong coffee every morning and a long dog walk every afternoon with a good group of friends. I also try to find humour in everyday stresses. I was brought up with the mantra “laugh and the world laughs with you, cry and you cry alone”.

What do you get up to outside of Scotch? My husband is an architect and sculptor so we always have home projects and are slowly renovating our sixth home. We like cooking and having friends over and watching films too. We have recently become empty nesters and I am getting used to that, which has been more challenging than I anticipated!

Senior School | Jacob Miolin

Began in 2019 Outdoor Education Teacher

How did you end up at Scotch and what do you do here? After graduating from the University of Notre Dame in 2011, I worked at Scotch in a casual capacity as an Outdoor Education instructor in 2012.

In 2013 I started at Lake Joondalup Baptist College (LJBC) teaching Health, Physical Education and Outdoor Education. I worked at LJBC for six years and during my time there my passion for and teaching load of Outdoor Education continued to grow.

In 2019 I was fortunate enough to secure a full-time Outdoor Education position at Scotch College.

If you were not a teacher, what would you be? Something that keeps me physically and mentally active. I have a number of friends who are firefighters; that would be something that would interest me.

What is the funniest thing that has ever happened in your classroom? In 2012 I was camping out at Moray on a very wet night. A colleague and I set our swags up under a semi-permanent canvas tarpaulin. By 3am a large amount of water had pooled in the tarpaulin and then drained off all at once. The noise woke us up; however, we weren’t nimble enough to get out of the way of the cascading water that ran through both our swags. We couldn’t help but laugh until the sun came up.

School can be stressful. How do you keep calm? I think when things get stressful it’s important to step back and find a systematic solution. I also believe it’s important to laugh every day, even if it’s at yourself!

What do you get up to outside of Scotch? I like surfing and spending time outside. I also enjoy travelling and exploring new places, especially if they are near the beach!

Mr Scott Loveday Performing Arts

After wrapping up an enormously successful winter season for Scotch Performing Arts, our attention now turns to the immediate future for our Year 12 students, many of whom have fully immersed themselves in Drama, Music or Pipe Band for years.

For some, the passion has only come in the last few years; others have taken their study in these areas seriously for some time. But what happens at the end of compulsory schooling? What happens when students return their hired musical instrument, or hang up their theatre blacks and return their borrowed props?

With the COVID-19 pandemic limiting the normal momentum of the international community, the importance of the performing arts industry to maintaining a healthy society has never been more evident.

I recently caught up with some Old Scotch Collegians (OSC) who have continued their engagement with the performing arts as they embarked upon the next phase of their lives.

“Growing up through Middle School, I always had so much fun in Drama. I loved telling stories and playing around with friends,” says Harry Gilchrist (OSC 2019).

“In Year 10, I chose to study ATAR Drama and this was a major step [toward postcompulsory involvement]. Creating a character was so inspiring.

“A very late decision in Year 12 led to a Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) audition.”

Now studying a Diploma of Acting at the prestigious institution, Gilchrist says there were no alternatives. “I thought I’d give it a crack and go wholeheartedly toward studying theatre. Although I had plenty of other study options, I didn’t consider a Plan B.” Callum Griffiths (OSC 2019) is in the first year of his degree at the University of Western Australia, with a double major in Music and Engineering.

“Several aspects inspired my choice of direction,” says Griffiths when asked what the catalyst was for his current pathway.

“Music in a huge orchestral context – pieces like Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana that make you want to stand up and shout ‘yes’ or even invade a country! It’s inspiring.”

“Playing with other musicians in a formal context means you get to meet new friends,” he says.

There are also opportunities to link in with existing friends who were part of the journey during school days. Griffiths still catches up with former Scotch students who are now part of other musical entities, such as the WA Medical Students’ Orchestra (WAMSO) and the Perth Highland Pipe Band.

It is through entities like these that many past students continue to be involved. Although they have not necessarily embarked upon formal study or careers within the performing arts, there is a deep connection that many have through their local community initiatives. It is something that is not only beneficial for the individual, it is of immense importance to the wider community and to the social fabric of a well-functioning society.

Griffiths’ comments highlight something that is incredibly important: connection with the performing arts can be a lifelong pursuit. It may have begun in school but does not end at March Out.

“Ask yourself what you want out of music. This will, to some degree, inform your pathway forward. There’s WAMSO and the Australian Doctors’ Orchestra. It doesn’t have to be a traditional study pathway. There are so many other ways to stay involved and keep playing,” Griffiths says.

Our teachers, families and OSC community have a role to play in encouraging graduating students to continue the pursuit of their craft. Whether it be as a lighting or sound technician, stage manager, acting in an amateur theatre show, playing with a community pipe band or concert band, or even by joining an armed forces band as a reservist, there are plenty of places to continue to share the joy.

So, are these OSCs happy with their choices to formally study in these areas?

“It’s different to what I was expecting but that’s not a bad thing. The foundation that the International Baccalaureate Diploma Music course provided gave a great background for studying music composition, particularly in the Baroque, Classical and Romantic eras. But the course at Scotch gave a really broad perspective of music that wasn’t just from a Western Classical ‘bubble’,” Griffiths says.

Asked whether he had made the right choice, Gilchrist says: “I look forward to every single class; it doesn’t seem like work. I’m spending six to eight hours per day with people who’ve become great mates, it’s just awesome.”

Was it everything he had hoped it would be?

“It’s more than this. In classes we’re always talking about channelling our inner child and finding that childlike curiosity, and then seeing where that will take us [as we create or develop a character]. Then we get to put that on show on the stage, and hopefully the audience gets to take that away with them. Maybe we’ll even have an impact for change [in their lives].”

One thing that both cite as critical influences was the encouragement and mentoring of the Scotch Performing Arts staff during their senior years. They recognised that many go above and beyond the call of duty in a bid to inspire, impart knowledge and build character.

As the chapter for our 2020 leavers comes to a close, it is our hope that they have become men of empathy, embodying human kindness and have indeed been inspired to continue some aspect of their performing arts involvement into the future.