Last Friday night we said thank you and farewell to our leaving Year 12 boys at the Valedictory Dinner. It was a wonderful night that began with a chapel service before entering the Dickinson Centre for dinner. The venue had been transformed by the parents of the Scotch Auxiliary into a spectacular dining room featuring floral displays in maroon and gold. The meal was prepared by our own Scotch College catering staff and served by 91 boys in the current Year 12 cohort. The highlight of the night was a speech from Mr Galipo who shared some of his own life experiences and offered sage advice to the 2016 Leavers. The Valedictory Dinner was a night enjoyed by 570 guests and made possible through the efforts and planning of the Scotch Auxiliary who have given tirelessly to school events throughout the year.
As this is the last newsletter for the year, I look back at the year passed with much pride and admiration of the efforts of the large majority of boys in the Senior School. This year we enjoyed the spectacular Addams Family production, the first musical at Scotch College in 12 years, the hugely successful hosting of the Perth Round of the World Scholar's Cup, the generosity of boys in service including a service tour to Tanzania and the inspiring fundraising initiative of our Year 12 leaders in the World's Greatest Shave where the boys from Scotch College and girls from PLC raised an astonishing $90,000 to help people with Leukaemia.
I trust that we all appreciate the boys drive and commitment that led them to lift the State title in sailing for the second consecutive year, the PSA trophies in rugby, football, golf, athletics and, for the first time, the Brother Kelly Cup for badminton as well as the Australasian Philosothon title. Amongst these trophies were three winter season premierships, a feat not matched in our College's long history. Numerous boys have represented their state and country in a range of academic and sporting competitions. More importantly, Scotch boys continued to exhibit a passion for their College, a desire to serve others and a spirit that bonds them together.
On a personal note, I thank the school community for making my time at Scotch College both rewarding and deeply satisfying. The past four years have been filled with highlights, the majority of which are based around the relationships, warmth and welcome boys have shown to me around the school. I believe, education, is at its greatest, when you share human experience, when you interact with others, learn who they are, where they are from, and how you can help them. Education is at its greatest when you share selflessly. It is about empathy, grace, humility and respect. It is for these reasons that I believe Scotch College provides a great education and it is these same qualities that the boys have consistently demonstrated that have made my time at this great school so rewarding and deeply satisfying. Thank you!
Dr Rob McEwan
Head of Senior School