The Thistle - An E-Newsletter of Scotch College, Perth, Western Australia

We become what we repeatedly do

I am proud to teach at Scotch College for a number of reasons. Our dedicated staff, our strong focus on mental and physical wellbeing, our extraordinary range of curriculum opportunities and the amazing outdoor education team are just some of the reasons why. Unsurprisingly, what makes me most proud is our dedication to being a community that is service orientated and civically minded, not just locally but internationally too. Dr O'Connell and the College Council believe that these values of Service to others, Stewardship for future generations and Integrity, both personally and as an institution, are so important that they are foremost in all our decision making and our central mission in developing young men of character who will become active members of a global community.

 mission-statement.png

But why is this important? One reason is to build empathy amongst our community.

Empathy is the ability to understand another person's experiences, perspectives, and feelings. To walk a mile in another man's shoes.

A lack of empathy is unhealthy and makes leadership difficult. In a business sense, not understanding your current and future customers is catastrophic. In daily life, a lack of empathy is a major contributor to the #metoo movement that has destroyed reputations globally. And the events of Christchurch two weeks ago can certainly be attributed to a lack of empathy in one man.

So, can we teach empathy? Like most things, it comes more naturally to some, but it can certainly be practiced and something your teachers seek to help you do as often as possible. And, you become what you repeatedly do.

A guy who was naturally low on the empathy scale was Nathan Buckley. He was known for being brash, for struggling to understand why others would not train as hard as he would, and for generally being focused on number one. Buckley decided this was not the person he wanted to be, and went through a well-documented period of practicing building empathy and thinking of others.

Last year, minutes before one of the biggest games of his career, this practice bore fruits that produced images that will come to define his character. The Collingwood banner ripped and the lady who had made it was distraught. Buckley's empathy shone through and the five seconds he spent consoling her showed a man of tremendous character.

Whatever your natural endowment for empathy, it waxes and wanes according to your feelings at the time. When you are sick and tired, you focus on yourself and when you are overly excited sometimes you forget about others too. This is normal and fine, as long as you realise it and can check yourself when you need to.

Finally, empathy is not about making everyone happy. Churchill said, if you have enemies, it shows you have stood up for something at some time in your life. Empathy is about understanding humanity and seeking to be the best you can be, not pandering to people's emotions.

Practice being empathetic and, as Nathan Buckley showed, it will be second nature when needed most.

Congratulations to the boys who achieved Colours for Community and Service on Friday at Senior School Assembly, they are listed below.

FirstName

LastName

Year

House

William

Moffat-Clarke

10

Stuart

Julian

Kyriakou

11

Stuart

Nicolas

Monger Molowny

11

Alexander

Lincoln

Allan

12

Ross

Benjamin

Gale

12

Ross

Harrison

Gilchrist

12

Keys

Conor

Lenny

12

Anderson

Liam

McCreery

12

Keys

Oscar

Moss

12

Ferguson

Alexander

van Hoek

12

Ross

Alistair

Watters

12

St Andrews

Clothes & Accessories Needed for Bindaring Sale

bindaring.png

Scotch College is once again supporting this local fundraiser.

Over the school holidays, please take the opportunity to clear out your wardrobe as the season changes.

Good Quality clean clothes for men, women and children plus Shoes, Bags, Belts, Scarves and Costume Jewelry in good condition, are needed to stock the 56th Bindaring Clothing Sale at Claremont Showground on Saturday 18 May 2019.

All funds raised support Australian Red Cross local services in our community and last year's sale raised an amazing $195,000.

Collection boxes will be located in the Uniform Shop and Senior /Middle/Jnr School Reception from Wednesday 1 May to Friday 10 May.

We will also have a driveway drop off on Wednesday 8 May, at the Junior School slipway from 7.30am to 9.00am.

Thank you for supporting this event.

Sports Equipment needed for Fair Game

 fairgame.png

 Stuart House is supporting Fair Game by collecting and delivering sporting goods to remote communities.

Charlie Thomas – Vice Captain (Service), Stuart House:

We are collecting all sorts of sporting equipment including footballs, soccer balls, basketballs, footy boots, boxing gloves/focus pads, frisbees and skipping ropes. With the end of the summer season now would be a great time to check your winter footwear, and if you have grown out of your sport boots Fair Game will be glad to accept it.

Bins are located in the Senior School, outside Mrs Murray's Office (Student Services), outside the Design and Technology Department and opposite the water fountain at the English Block.

The Smith Family Student 2 Student Buddy Programme

The Smith Family is looking for students in Years 6 – 10 to be a part of their Student 2 Student programme. See the flyer and video for more information.

Please contact Mr David Kyle, Director of Service and Citizenship if interested.