Meet our 2026 leaders
Meet the 2026 student leadership team: Jack, Ben, George and Declan! Starting at Scotch between Years 1 and 7, they share their Scotch story and vision for the year ahead.
Ben Hoffman, Captain of School
I began my journey at Scotch in 2020 as a Year 7. On my first day I knew very few people, but I quickly found friends and settled into school life. From the start, I remember the strong sense of community, especially the energy around revitalising the Gooch Pavilion.
Scotch offers so many opportunities for boys to get involved, from sport to music and everything in between. These experiences have helped me grow into the person I am today.
The values I want to lead with are consistency, integrity and authenticity. These three values will help me be an approachable and diligent leader.
In the year ahead, my goal is to encourage every student, Junior to Senior, to get involved and promote a culture that is inclusive to boys of all talents and capabilities.
At Scotch, a great opportunity is the diverse range of co-curricular activities offered by the College. These have been a highlight of my time at Scotch, so I hope to help others explore their interests the way I have been fortunate to. I look forward to leading the College in the year ahead!
George Gale, Vice Captain of School – Operations
I'm extremely excited to be taking on this role in 2026. I started at Scotch in Year 7 and have loved my time here. From playing sport to my involvement in service, I am grateful for the opportunity to help lead the College into the new year.
The College has been a place where I've been able to challenge myself and take up so many opportunities. The example set by older boys has been something I've looked up to, and I'd love to carry that forward.
This role is all about creating meaningful experiences, and I'm looking forward to building on the work of the boys before me. I hope to leave the same impact that past leaders have, which is to continue to build the foundation and connection amongst our community.
House events are such a big part of Scotch life, pushing you outside your comfort zone, building friendships and showing what teamwork looks like. My focus will be on encouraging everyone to get involved and have fun, no matter their skill level.
I look forward to working with staff, students, and families in continuing our thriving school community.
Jack Mayo, Vice Captain of School – Service
I started at Scotch in Year 1, the earliest entry point at the College at the time, and I've been lucky to experience life through Junior, Middle and now Senior School.
I have always felt a strong part of the Scotch community and have been fortunate to make lifelong friends, have amazing teachers and been able to experience a vast array of opportunities.
I'm currently undertaking the IB Diploma, and love playing PSA Sport and doing other co-curriculars such as debating and music with my friends.
Service is one of Scotch's three core values, alongside Stewardship and Integrity, so naturally it plays a large part at the College. These provide us students opportunities to give back to the community.
From initiatives such as the All Abilities Cricket programme, to major fundraisers such as Fight MND and the Worlds' Greatest Shave I have found they develop skills such as humility, communication, responsibility and empathy.
By experiencing new environments and meeting new people, I believe these opportunities have taught us to listen to and appreciate different perspectives, put others first and follow through with commitments.
These build qualities that strengthen relationships and prepare us to emulate integrity and compassion in our future endeavours whether it be how we speak to others to how we act as global citizens.
Declan Crombie, Captain of Boarding
I started at Scotch in 2021 as an excited Year 7 boarder from Babakin. At first, I struggled with homesickness. Coming from a school of only 15 students across all year levels to Scotch with more than 170 in each year was a big adjustment.
Living in the Middle School Residence was also new, sharing life with 40 boys from across Australia and overseas. I will never forget how the older boys helped us settle into boarding life, easing our transition into our new environment.
Heading into my final year at Scotch I want to do my best to give back to the school.
Something that stands out in Scotch boarding is the incredible facilities. Few boys get to grow up living next to football, soccer and rugby fields, all at our doorstep. But what makes it truly unique is our diversity.
At Scotch, our boarders come from rural towns, interstate and overseas with different experiences and cultures. Yet in boarding we go from complete strangers to brothers for life.
For me, the most important quality of a boarding leader is being approachable. I believe it is important that every boy feels supported and at home when in boarding.
It is important that all boys feel comfortable talking to their leaders about anything, regardless of whether they need support or advice about personal matters, issues within school or the boarding house.
I believe that an approachable leader should help boarders feel supported and connected, like an older brother, contributing to what makes the boarding house feel like a second home.
