Last Friday was a seminal day for the 2013 Year cohort. It was their last assembly as Scotch College students, as they hand over their senior school positions to the next year group and prepare for their final exams.
I was pleased to address the School assembly and, on behalf of the whole Old Scotch Community, to warmly welcome our newest Old Scotch Collegians. I watched and applauded as wave after wave of exceptional young men were handed awards and accolades for their efforts in 2013. Their musicianship was amazing, tales of their feats on the athletics track were impressive, their surfing results were exceptional, and their public service record was exemplary. In these and so many other ways, they are demonstrating to us and to themselves that they are well rounded and accomplished.
As many of you will know, the assembly is followed by a March Out at the Memorial Oval.
Old Scotch Collegians has worked with the College to develop a simple, but powerful rite of passage for the Year 12's, which involves them passing from the hands of the School - symbolised by shaking the hands of the Headmaster, the Head of Senior School and the College Chaplain - to the joining of our wider Old Scotch community.
To symbolise the boys becoming OSC's, the boys walked up the pathway from the oval and to the Gooch Pavilion, to accept great applause from the crowd. I was privileged to then congratulate and shake hands with each departing student, and present them with their old boys tie.
The scene at the "Gooch" was a riot of colour with, parents, students, staff and OSC members in attendance as I witnessed the 2013 cohort march for the very last time. For most students it is a very poignant time as they reflect on their time as students at Scotch; and for OSCs it also becomes a reflective time as strong memories flood back from their own time at Scotch.
It's an observation of mine that you are very much longer an Old Scotch Collegian than a student and having met and experienced OSC community over a number of years it is worth noting that our community has been built on strong advocacy and a genuine sense of belonging.
I for one, certainly look forward to meeting socially and professionally, and assisting wherever I can, the fine young men of the 2013 cohort who we welcome as New Old Boys to our community. They are now in our hands.
Michael Silbert
OSC President
