Meet Your Leaders

Meet Your Leaders

Hear from our 2022 student leaders as they speak to their Scotch College experience and what makes a leader.

Banjo Harold Captain of School

I came to Scotch in 2015, entering Mr Wells class from North Cottesloe Primary School, as an extremely nervous Year 5, because I only knew one of the boys in Mr Wells’ class, who turned out to be Vice-Captain of Operations, Julius Kain. The first thing that struck me at Scotch was the welcoming nature of the Scotch community, who embraced my family and me, and the friendly nature of the Year 5 boys who accepted me in their class and treated me with respect.

Acts of leadership can be small and even appear mundane. What small act of leadership made the largest impression on you? Acts of leadership can be small and go unnoticed by those around you, but the impact that they have on the recipient is immeasurable. Having guidance and support is extremely beneficial for younger boys. A small act of leadership that made a large impression on me was from one of the senior leaders of Cameron House. This act occurred at the Middle School Speech Night, where the Year 8 boys were divided into their new Senior School Houses and met their new Year 12 House Captain. As I walked over to my new House Captain, he shook my hand, handed me a handwritten welcome letter, and knew my name even though I had never met him. Having a senior leader welcome you into your new House, know your name and display an interest in you when you are just entering the daunting Senior School was extremely beneficial for me and whilst only a small act, it made me feel more comfortable in the Senior School, knowing the Year 12 students would be looking out for me and the other boys. This act’s impression served as an insight into the Senior School and the House systems culture and demonstrates the impact that a small act of leadership can have on a younger boy who is unsure of his surroundings by making him feel more comfortable in his new House.

Julius Kain Vice-Captain of School (Operations)

I began at Scotch in Year 3, in 2013, nervous but excited as I walked up the stairs into the Junior School. My parents weren’t necessarily against my old school, but they had heard about Scotch and knew the countless unique opportunities in academics and sports it would offer me throughout my last nine years at school. Reflecting on my time, the several activities and events I have been part of at Scotch every year have continued to develop me, and by the time I leave, I will have become a principled, individual young man ready to take on the world.

Who is a Scotch boy? And can they be defined? A Scotch boy is a respectful, approachable and empathetic person. A boy who kindly greets people, looking into their eyes and shaking their hand. A boy who gets involved in many things by taking their opportunities and bringing a positive attitude to everything they do. A boy that leads by example for the younger boys at the school and ensures they adopt and then pass on the special values of this prestigious school through the legacies they form.

Nelson Hegge Vice-Captain of School (Service)

I joined the College in Year 7, and I have really enjoyed getting involved in a range of programmes, in particular the Service programme.

Service is an essential part of Scotch. Does the Service programme inspire interest in and compassion for the world around you? The Service programme can give boys opportunities to grow as people and learn skills and values that they would not learn in a normal classroom environment. The College prides itself on ‘preparing boys for life’, and I don’t know of any programme that does this better than the Service programme. Scotch makes sure to give boys opportunities to get involved in Service in all year groups. It makes sure to inspire interest in the wider world outside the College, giving boys opportunities to engage with the community that they would not otherwise engage with. The hands-on nature of the Scotch Service programme allows boys to see the significant impact of their actions and helps them develop a sense of empathy and compassion.

Kofi Raffan Head of Student Council

I began at Scotch in Year 7 and have since experienced many community and school events that have introduced me to the role of the Student Council. Student Council is charged with improving life at Scotch. If you could change anything, what would it be? In having an influence, whole school involvement is key, as is having connections with each sub-school. I hope to emphasise festivities surrounding fundraising and school events, as well as encouraging participation. As cliché as it sounds, the Student Council is the voice of the people and, therefore, must address and improve student access to facilities, wellbeing and ultimately, school life. I wish to begin new traditions and activities for the boys, along with making a mark on the school and including not just the students but the entire community, including staff and parents. Scotch is a welcoming environment, and improvements are always possible, so over the next year, we, the Student Council, are here to assist you, have an influence and make a change.

Kalib Dempster Park Captain of Boarding

I began boarding at Scotch College in Year 7.

Our boarders come from throughout WA and further abroad. How do the diverse experiences of our boarders influence who we are as a school community? Being a boarder is such a unique experience as you get to meet and become friends with people not just from throughout Western Australia but from further abroad. Having so many kids who come from across Western Australia and other countries and states to board at Scotch really makes for a diverse community. We have boys coming into Boarding from all over the world, including Japan, China, Broome, Albany, Darwin, Merredin and more. Each boarder brings a unique personality to the Boarding community, and having boys from overseas means we experience different cultures. Growing up in a community with people with such diverse backgrounds changes you as a person as you get a really close insight into someone who has been living a completely different life to you. It is exciting, becoming friends with such unique people, and the Scotch community would not be the same if it did not have such diversity.