More than Teaching

As we move into the final phase of the school year, a significant signpost being the fact that with our leaving Year 12s having commenced their final International Baccalaureate and WACE exams, it is timely to reflect on the valuable contribution by our incredible teaching staff that got them there. It is important to remember that the journey to Year 12 includes significant touch points from many teachers across many years.

A few weeks ago, we celebrated opening our Mathematics and Commerce Building in what is already showing signs of becoming one of our iconic buildings. Like all of our facilities at Scotch, the building's status will be forever enhanced due to the high-quality teachers working within the new spaces. At the end of the day, without students and great teachers, Scotch is simply a series of great facilities in Swanbourne. It is the teachers who bring the school to life for each and every student.

World Teachers' Day

We know there are many great things that go together to make Scotch a great school and community, but in the midst of World Teachers' Day, we remember just how important our teachers are to the development of our students from Pre-Kindergarten through to when they graduate in Year 12. Scotch is a school with world-class facilities, the latest technology, strong parent body and a dynamic curriculum, but our real jewels in the crown are our teachers. On balance, their level of personal and professional commitment is as high as I have witnessed throughout my own professional career.

Every day, some 1,400+ students are entrusted into the care and leadership of over 220 teachers here at Scotch College. I am proud to lead some of the finest teachers in the country at our school, whose expertise and dedication to their field is second to none. But it is what our teachers do beyond the classroom that makes them invaluable.

Our teachers don't just teach. They build relationships and trust. They empathise. They show compassion, care and respect for the individuals they teach every day. Most importantly, they shape lives. I'm sure everyone can cast their minds back to school days and recall a favourite teacher and I bet that teacher did more than just teach you the fundamentals of history or maths. That teacher inspired you, cared for you in times of challenge and inspired you to be a better person. That teacher created a safe space for you to learn and explore the world.

On World Teachers' Day on Friday, I heard someone speaking about their memories of great teachers. In essence, it came down to one simple fact: they brought the subject to life and made it fun. The essence of this was captured by the Willetton High School teacher who won Science Teacher of the year last week. He said, "My job is not to simply teach science, but to develop future scientists through a passion for science".

So, what does it mean to be a teacher? The answer goes far beyond any curriculum framework or textbook. Not only are our teachers teaching fundamental skills to our students, but also inadvertently acting as role models, leaders and people to aspire to. That is what makes a great teacher, and in turn, a great school.

Last week Australia celebrated World Teachers' Day, a day established to acknowledge the valuable work of teachers in classrooms and other educational environments. This year, like every year at Scotch, we acknowledge and thank the work of all teachers across the globe for the role they play in shaping the bright future of the next generation.

I mentioned earlier about our Year 12s having commenced their exams. I ask all families to keep our boys in their thoughts and prayers over the coming few weeks. We know they have been well prepared and will perform well.

This time of the year is very busy and packed with commitments. I look forward to catching up with many of you at parent meetings or at one of the many other activities over the coming weeks.

Have a great fortnight,

Dr A J O'Connell
Headmaster