To lead is to serve – the value of service
At Scotch College Perth, student leadership is more than just a title- it's an opportunity to make meaningful impact.
Embracing this ethos, our Year 8 students had the opportunity to participate in the 2025 World's Greatest Shave. This is a national fundraising initiative that supports the Leukaemia Foundation.
Service learning and leadership at Scotch College Perth
Service Learning is a fundamental component of the Scotch College student leadership model, aligning with our core value of Service: 'Doing good for others; to lead is to serve'.
In our Middle School, the Year 8 students had the opportunity to participate in the World's Greatest Shave – a cause that holds particular significance within our school community.
While some students may have initially felt apprehensive about shaving their heads, this initiative was not just about the physical act of shaving; it was about creating visibility for those affected by blood cancer, many of whom lose their hair without a choice.
"I chose to take part in the World's Greatest Shave to spread awareness about blood cancer and honour my grandma, who passed away in 2020. At first, I felt awkward and embarrassed, but over time, I became really proud of myself, no matter what others thought. When my family and friends helped me raise $2,000, I felt incredibly supported and knew I had made a difference." – Sam L, Year 8 House Leader
Year 12 student and 'Vice Captain of School – Service', Sebastian Carmichael, met with the Year 8 leaders encouraging them to participate in the fundraising event, emphasising the importance of leading by example. Impressively, our Year 8 student leaders answered his call to action demonstrating courage, empathy, and advocacy—all key attributes of strong leaders.
The Scotch shave took place on Wednesday 14 March, led by our Year 12 Student Leaders who shaved the heads of the Year 8 students who chose to participate. For those who were not ready to shave their heads, there were still meaningful ways to contribute, such as fundraising or supporting their peers who made the decision to shave.
The Benefits of Service Learning
Exposing students to service-oriented experiences like the World's Greatest Shave encourages our young men to develop strength of character, self-understanding, and a passion for sustained learning.
As Kielsmeier (2010) states,
"Service Learning creates a two-way bridge of interaction and shared purpose, resulting in better schools, stronger communities, and improved student learning".
Highlighting the role that service learning plays in developing empathetic, well-rounded, and socially responsible students.
Benefits beyond the event
This year alone, I have seen tremendous growth in the boys. The 2025 World's Greatest Shave helping our students to build:
By actively engaging in service leadership, we foster a deep understanding of societal challenges and strengthen the ability of our students to empathise with others.
Whilst our students' make the decision to shave their head, they acknowledge and understand the lack of choice and feelings that may stir for someone undergoing Chemotherapy.
Service leadership encourages our boys to lead through example. This sometimes requires them to get out of their comfort zones and 'go against the grain'. For some it was an easy decision to shave their heads, but others may have faced personal challenges like overcoming thoughts of doubt or self-consciousness.
In order to rally support and fundraise for the cause, service projects such as The World's Greatest Shave, require initiative, communication, and teamwork— all key leadership qualities that are transferrable to all aspects of life. Whether it be encouraging other students to partake, or supporting from the sidelines it's about the many parts that contribute to the success of the team.
Initiatives such as The World's Greatest Shave enhance our students ability to develop a sense of responsibility and commitment of serving others for a purpose greater than themselves.
When our students champion service initiatives, they inspire their peers and the wider community to get involved. This contributes to fostering a culture of kindness, generosity, and collective action.
At Scotch, Service Learning is a cornerstone of our student leadership model, ensuring that our students' grow into individuals who go out in to the world and lead with integrity and compassion.
We commend their bravery and encourage all students to continue finding ways to contribute. Whether through fundraising, advocacy, or simply supporting their peers, every act of service makes a difference.
As of Monday 12 May, our community has raised $200,595.
If you'd like to get involved or support the students, see here.
Mr Jack Utting
Head of Student Leadership - Middle School
Kielsmeier, J. C. (2010). Build a bridge between service and learning. The Phi Delta Kappan, 91(5), 8–15. http://www.jstor.org/stable/27755634
