2015 Academic Assembly – Dux’s Address

The 2015 Academic Assembly was held on Friday, February 20 in sweltering conditions in the Br W.T. O’Malley Sports Centre.-

The Assembly is one of the highlights on the SPC calendar and invites back all subject duces from the previous year. Old Collegian and sports journalist with The Australian Courtney Walsh (SPC 1989-94) was invited back as guest speaker before 2014 College Dux Hamish Clydesdale addressed the full school community.

Hamish recorded an incredible ATAR score of 98.75. His journey to his remarkable achievement began in 2013 when as a Year 11 student he achieved a study score of 50 in Further Mathematics.

In Year 12, Hamish attained a VCE study score of 42, scaled study score 43, in Literature. In Mathematical Methods (CAS), a VCE study score of 40, scaled to 45. In Biology, a VCE study score of 44, scaled to 45. In Chemistry, a VCE study score of 39, scaled to 43 and in Japanese, a VCE study score of 31, scaled to 39.

Following is a transcript of Hamish’s speech to the assembly.

-Good morning Mr Crowley, invited guests, staff and fellow St Patrick’s college students.

When I first entered St Patrick’s College six years ago I had a relatively good idea of what to expect, having had two brothers attend before me. I could not have fathomed however, just how much this incredible school has given me. After leaving Wendouree Primary, a small but very underrated school, I could not help but be daunted by the sheer amount of boys. Settling in was no problem though, and after the Year 7 camp in Creswick, I felt completely engrained into the College. From that point on, school was an absolute pleasure and I could only wonder whether everyone enjoyed it so much. The only downside was the homework and because I was absolutely terrified of the consequences of not completing it, finding motivation was not too difficult.-

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As I moved through the junior school and into Year 9, my motivation for homework and study changed. I worked hard at home in order to learn and improve at my subjects, rather than to just avoid punishment. I believe independence to be the key and while help is almost always necessary, a good honest attempt by yourself in any task is hugely beneficial in my opinion. The first reward I received for this effort was the Year 9 Dux, the first year level dux I had achieved. The award came as a huge shock, and when my friend told me in maths, I thought he was winding me up. Ever since then, the potential rewards for hard work have been plain, and winning College Dux feels like a culmination of six years of hard work, not just one.-

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Although I did many hours of hard work last year, often getting to bed at 2am or later, Year 12 was still an incredible twelve months. I was lucky enough to play in the First XI soccer team for the second year in a row, and last year we won our ninth straight BAS premiership. I also played for the Bungaree Under 18s team, which sadly lost a very tense grand final. Both of these were great complements to my study and I recommend any form of recreation away from study in Year 12.-

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I, of course, owe a huge thank you to all my teachers: Mr O’Loughlan, Mrs McIntyre, Ms Till, Mrs Taylor and Mr McCrum are all committed and passionate teachers who constantly make themselves available to all their students. Furthermore, I am very sad in the knowledge that I will never again be witness to the razor sharp wit of Hamish McCrum as he, for example, assesses the new haircuts of his students. Or, in my case, the dismal attempts at growing a beard. And I quote Mr McCrum: -‘Hamish, you look like a 13 year old who hasn’t shaved for two weeks-. Thanks Mr McCrum.-

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Leaving St Patrick’s College and entering the University of Melbourne is both an exciting and sombre experience. I have loved this College so much and I fill with pride at the thought that my name will be placed on the Dux honour board, forever a part of this school’s rich history.

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Thank you and good morning.-