CHARACTER IN ACTION

The winter sports season came to an end last week and the final rounds were approached with much anticipation. The Firsts Football team faced a top of the ladder clash with Hale in the penultimate game of the season and our Firsts Soccer needed a result in their final match to claim their respective premierships. As many now know, Scotch College won both games and now holds both the Alcock Cup (Football) and the Davies Cup (Soccer). The last time Scotch held these cups were 1997 and 1996 respectively.

While we admire acts of courage, effort and skill from so many of the boys across all year groups and a wide range of activities, it is the acts of humility that leave the strongest mark. Two such acts came immediately after the hard fought victory in the Firsts Football game against Hale. As a large number of spectators ran on to the field to celebrate the victory and consequently the season premiership, Tim Edwards (Year 12, Anderson) and Jack Prendiville (Year 12, Cameron) showed maturity beyond their years. Both Jack and Tim chose to acknowledge the opposition players with whom they and their teammates had just competed fiercely with before joining their teammates in a well-deserved celebration. While we hear and read about the development of character in young people these ideals have to be demonstrated through action. Jack and Tim certainly provided a strong example of what character looks like, both before and after the final siren.

When we talk about developing character, let us be judged by our actions.

Dr Rob McEwan

Head of Senior School