From the Headmaster

Scotch College eNewsletter –  Mon 27 November 2023

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It is almost too hard to conceptualise that I am about to write 'Welcome to the final Thistle for 2023'. Where has this year gone?

Speaking of the year ending, we know Christmas is on the horizon when we find ourselves in the middle of the Scotch College end of year celebratory valedictories, final assemblies and presentation afternoons. Last week gave us another clue that Christmas is around the corner when the daily temperatures started to rise telling us that it is time to prepare for those hot Christmas meals – go figure. Since arriving from the UK as a 9-year-old it is a part of local Aussie culture that is still hard to figure given how hot the average Christmas usually gets.

Christmas is one of the most important Christian and cultural holidays of the year, but what is the true meaning of Christmas? For Christians, Christmas holds deep religious meaning as it signifies the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas is an annual holiday that is celebrated by billions of people, religious or otherwise, throughout the world on 25 December. It signifies new life, and with that, a sense of hope, renewal and promise.

If you ask people what Christmas means to them, you will get many different answers. It is indeed a special time to be thankful and grateful for the gift of life. It is a time to enjoy your time with family and friends as another year draws to a close and the whole world celebrates the birth of Christ.

More commonly, we know Christmas is the time when families and friends come together and give gifts to one another to celebrate their love for each other. There are not many better feelings in the world than when a loved one opens the gift you gave them and smiles. Christmas serves as a great reminder of why we come together as friends and family.

For most of us reading this today, we will look forward to celebrating Christmas. Unfortunately, for many in Australia and around the world, Christmas, for those very same reasons which we celebrate, may well highlight a series of challenges such as loneliness, poverty and lack of love and care from those around them.

We know from the level of war-torn communities across the globe that this year Christmas may not bring any hope nor joy. We cannot solve everything, but as a Christian community who lives and works in a very safe part of the world, we can continue to keep those less fortunate in our thoughts and prayers.

From a more tangible perspective, we can help those in our own community who may not be facing a joyous season, through supporting our local charities, whether by donating food, clothing or items that can be given as gifts to those less fortunate.

One of the great things about the Scotch community is their support for good causes. As we move towards Christmas Day let us support those at home and across the globe who are facing a tough Christmas, through our thoughts, prayers, but most importantly through our deeds.

Thank you to everyone for your support of our College in 2023 and I look forward to working for and with you in 2024.

On behalf of my own family, Janny, Abbey and Grady, may you all have a safe and joyous Christmas and Happy New Year.

Regards and God Bless.

Dr Alec O'Connell
Headmaster

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