The Promethean Community

The Promethean Community

Head of Enrichment Sam Sterrett

In Greek mythology, ‘Prometheus’ is associated with the term ‘forethinker’, a champion of humankind, stealing fire from the Gods and delivering it to mankind in the form of knowledge, technology and civilization.

The study of Philosophy has a rich history at the College with the first officially recorded programme beginning in 1977 called The Promethean Society. First organised by Ron Bavin, it provided a select group of Year 12 boys ‘another avenue for discussion of social and philosophical issues. Subjects ranged from Virgil to mental disease, from the geology of the North West to the merits of Seventh Day Adventism.’

Almost 50 years on and this ethos of deep, philosophical inquiry is still alive and well at Scotch with a much expanded, inclusive and ever growing ‘Promethean Community’ of young philosophers. Boys at Scotch can now be involved in any number of Philosophy related programmes that offer vertical integration and opportunities for student mentorship and service.

• Junior and Middle School Philosophy Clubs

• Middle School Interhouse Philosothon

• Middle and Senior Ethics Olympiads

• Year 9 and 10 Philosophy elective courses

• Year 11 and 12 Theory of Knowledge (IB Diploma)

• Junior, Senior and Australians Philosothons

• Promethean Outreach

This ethos of deep, philosophical inquiry is still alive and well at Scotch with a much expanded, inclusive and ever growing ‘Promethean Community’.

Over the last 6 years, Scholar in Residence, Akram Azimi, has played a central role in helping design the various programmes, developing engaging, inter-disciplinary programmes.

With the range of extensive offerings now in place at Scotch, coupled with some of the tech innovations associated with SCOT (Scotch College Online Teaching), the Promethean Community has now expanded beyond the school walls.

Online evening collaborations with PLC in the lead up to the 2022 Perth Philosothon, have seen students wrestle with complex questions like, “are artistic forgeries valuable?” and “is a hole something or nothing at all?”

Most recently, an exciting new ‘Promethean Outreach’ programme is underway involving freshly graduated Year 10 Philosophy students mentoring Year 5 and 6 Primary School students in the context of online philosophical communities of inquiry. A huge shout out to OSC, former Scotch teacher and Rapids Landing Primary School teacher, Jack Graziotti, for facilitating such an inspiring collaboration as we continue to grow the Promethean Community.