A year of opportunities

A year of opportunities

School Captain Banjo Harold

The first semester of the 2022 academic year has been full of opportunities and new experiences.

The Summer Sport season saw some outstanding achievements for all teams across the PSA competition, with the Scotch spirit shining through with each first team tasting some success. I think the most impressive part of the Summer Sport season was the amazing sportsmanship shown by the Scotch boys who played within the spirit of the game, and upheld the mantle of sportsmanship.

Congratulations to our First Tennis team who finished on top in the Corr Cup trophy standings winning the competition for a second year in a row. This was a testament to their hard work, dedication, endeavour and teamwork, with the team winning 10 rounds of the PSA season. A terrific season from the team.

The College opened the Staff Trophy with the annual Swimming Carnival at HBF stadium. It was another fantastic day at the pool with great competition between the 10 houses and fantastic achievements from individual swimmers. After a day full of races from the coveted Division 1 Open Relay to the Division 2 Noodle Race and strong passion and a heart-on-the-sleeve mentality, the results were announced. Congratulations to Cameron House on winning the 2022 Inter- House Swimming Carnival and breaking their historic Swimming Carnival drought.

Thanks to the Sports Department for organising the event and all staff involved on the day. The Staff Trophy continued in Summer and Autumn Term with Junior Indoor Soccer, Senior Volleyball, Junior Debating, Senior Chess, Junior Chess and a plethora of other events.

Early in Summer Term the Year 12 boys had the privilege of attending the Year 12 Ball. Themed, Illuminate Under the Stars, the chapel oval was transformed into an incredible venue with tables under the stars, and great music creating a fantastic atmosphere. The Ball gave the boys the opportunity to enjoy themselves in a year that will undoubtedly be remembered as stressful. A huge thanks to the Year 12 Parent Committee for organising such a fantastic event under extremely strenuous circumstances. It was truly a night enjoyed by all Year 12s.

The Arts were on full display this year with several Soireés taking place in the Middle School Quad in Summer Term. This Showcase of the Arts culminated in the College’s first Arts Day during the last week of Autumn Term. The day was a huge success with boys participating in activities and workshops, watching performances, enjoying the festival feel on the top oval at lunch and listening to the battle of the bands. This was all capped off with House Singing in the afternoon. Congratulations to Keys for winning with a fantastic rendition of Drive By by Train. Thanks to the Arts Department for all their hard work behind the scenes making our first Arts Day a success.

The Senior School Production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was truly the highlight of Autumn Term with the cast putting on 6 fantastic performances, in front of a sold-out Dickinson Centre every night. Congratulations to the entire cast and crew involved in such a great performance.

The Inter-House Cross Country made its return to the sporting calendar after a two-year hiatus, and it was fantastic to see a great turnout across each year group. In a challenging 3km race, each boy demonstrated perseverance to push through to the end and accumulate points for their House. Congratulations to Cameron House, a truly elite effort from all the boys.

The World’s Greatest Shave was another fantastic event that was held during Summer Term with a fantastic turn out across Junior, Middle and Senior Schools. With many boys in Middle and Senior School willing to shave off their luscious locks and Junior School students who had their hair coloured, we raised funds for the Leukaemia Foundation. Thanks to Mr Foster and Nelson Hegge (Vice-Captain of School – Service) for their work behind the scenes.

The Ball gave the boys the opportunity to enjoy themselves in a year that will undoubtedly be remembered as stressful.

As the curtain begins to draw on the Year 12’s journey at the college, each boy will remember and cherish the time they spent here, the relationships they forged, and the memories they created. There isn’t another group of boys with whom I would have wanted to share the journey, and it has been a pleasure to march alongside all of them.

On behalf of the Year 12 cohort, I would like to extend my immense gratitude to all the staff and parents involved in our Year 12 journey. No matter what, they were always there to support, assist and get the best out of us as young men. It is thanks to their guidance and support that we have been able to flourish at Scotch. I would also like to thank Dr O’Connell, Mr Gale, Mr Williams and Mr Burt for their continued support for myself and the other Year 12 leaders at Scotch.

I look forward to the rest of the journey for 2022.