What an Honour

Throughout my time at Scotch, I have had the opportunity to meet and speak to many interesting and significant people from across society.

Last Friday presented me with yet another amazing opportunity. Along with many of the attendees at our production, I was fortunate enough to spend an evening in the company of Mr Ben Elton. Ben had accepted an invite from our Drama teacher, and Curriculum Leader of the Arts, Ms Sarah Combes, to attend our production of We Will Rock You. Ben Elton is a world-renowned writer, performer and comedian and to have him give us the honour of attending our production speaks volumes for him as a person as someone who genuinely and passionately cares about the arts.

Of course, this was no random invite, as Ben Elton wrote the musical in 2002. On the night, Ben shared that due to COVID-19, and the many restrictions around public performances globally, Scotch College is the only place in the world where the musical was actually playing.

More significantly, Ben took the time to meet and speak with the students both before and after the performance. I will long remember what he said to the cast about the concept of performance honesty in theatre. In essence, he said it is obvious that the leads must perform their roles to the highest standard, but on the night, he noticed just how strong every member of our ensemble was and that you simply cannot hide dishonest performances in any production. Ben highlighted that the genuine honesty that emanated from the whole cast is what made the Scotch College production of his script such a success.

Thanks to everyone for making this production a success, especially Ms Sarah Combes, Production Director, and Mr Scott Loveday, Musical Director, and all of our staff, both back and front of house, our wonderful performers, our parent support group, and all family and friends for ensuring that during such a challenging time across the globe, and given our restricted rehearsal schedule due to COVID-19, we still delivered a performance to remember for many years to come.

Ongoing Vigilance

Just last week, I attended the biannual meeting of the Association of Heads of Independent Schools Australia (WA Branch) of which I currently Chair. The major focus was a very timely update from the COVID-19 cross sectorial task force.

As a result of this presentation, I couldn’t help but reflect that with successes such as our production, the return of assemblies, intra and inter College sports, coupled with the general positive feeling around our own campus and the wider community, it is way too easy to forget that we must continue to remain focused and vigilant about the possibility of a COVID-19 breakout. The Victorian scenario can happen anywhere. We are only one small step away from being on the end of a member of the community who has no concern for their fellow citizens, or on the end of complacency, leading to an accidental breach of COVID–19 guidelines and protocols.

From my reading of the situation in WA, it is highly unlikely that we will progress to Stage 5 restrictions. This means that as the year unfolds, we may still face changes to the operation and structure of some of our events. All I can ask for from our community is its ongoing support, which to date has been exemplary. Your patience, understanding and execution has been very much appreciated. Most importantly, I need to remind everyone that comparative analysis of what other schools or colleges do, or say, will not form the basis of any decision making at Scotch.

It is important to remember that a post COVID-19 context is not a reality at this stage. Because so much appears normal as a school community and within the wider community, let us not become complacent.

I urge families to encourage their son(s) to continue to exercise high levels of hygiene and sensible and realistic social distancing in their day-to-day interactions with each other and the adults with whom they come into contact, especially their teachers. A priority for me is the ongoing health and safety of our staff who continue to teach and support our boys. With this in mind, I ask for your support through avoiding any unnecessary entry onto campus by parents or any other adults not employed directly in the operation of the College. Our full return to school was, and remains, a major step in relaxing community restrictions but we still need to approach the balance of our year with measured optimism, not complacent exuberance.

Once again thank you so much for supporting the College with the challenges we have faced thus far and for the support you will continue to give for the balance of 2020 as we journey through this COVID-19 environment together.

If you have any queries or concerns, please contact your respective sub-school directly. As we move forward, let us not forget to focus on the basics which have served us so well thus far.

Have a great fortnight,

Dr Alec O’Connell
Headmaster