The Scots College is a distinctive Australian school that defends the honourable traditions, adventures and learning of boys. It exists to inspire boys to learn, lead and serve as they strive for excellence together. Scots has been raising fine young men since 1893 from Sydney, New South Wales and many different nations from around the world.
The college is committed to developing a culture of high expectations that nourishes the development of creative, confident, accomplished young men. As a boys’ school, it acknowledges the importance of student engagement, of challenge and active learning opportunities. Learning experiences are increasingly personalised — shaped in response to boys’ stages of development rather than their age or year level.
Scots boys are encouraged to develop a ‘growth mindset’ understanding the diverse and dynamic nature of intelligence. They all need security, support, confidence in themselves and belief in the power of their own commitment to their learning. Information communication and video conferencing technologies are used to enhance collaboration and the authenticity of learning experiences, provide flexibility, extending learning opportunities and supporting targeted learning interventions.
Strong and positive values are important to the college. It aims to build a culture of respect in our community towards God, others, self and the environment by aligning its policies and practices with Christian principles.
The Scots Advantage is that boys will have, from the very earliest years, a variety of pathways that will allow them to express and develop their gifts and talents, within a holistic philosophy of education — Brave Hearts, Bold Minds. Physically, boys have a range of sports and individually tailored challenges in order to develop confidence, team spirit, and their leadership potential. Spiritually, boys are challenged to think about the big questions and how these relate to their lives, relationships, and ethical dispositions. Academically, boys can choose from a range of pathways which will take them through to the highest recognised university entry points, through alternative access schemes, or into industry and professional life in ways which best suit their learning aspirations.
The Scots College offers the Board of Studies-mandated curriculum across Years 7 and 8 with a choice of languages available — Chinese, French, Indonesian and Latin.
All Year 9 students participate in a residential Outdoor Education Program for two terms at the Glengarry campus in Kangaroo Valley. Glengarry is renowned for providing generations of defining moments for boys as they grow into men.
In Years 9 and 10, students pursue their chosen courses (selected in Year 9) and in addition they are presented with English, History and Geography. A comprehensive Careers Education Program is also introduced in Year 10 to support the boys in selecting an appropriate direction for their senior years at The Scots College.
In Years 11 and 12, Scots’ students are able to choose from a range of HSC subject options designed to meet their specific needs and interests. The college also offers Board of Studies Endorsed Vocational Courses such as Construction plus access to VET courses at TAFE.
Scots encourages boys to expand their horizons and can provide them with specialist courses at tertiary education institutions, including Distinction Courses.
The Scots College’s innovative personalised learning programs support every boy at every stage of development. One such program is the Honours program, offering tailored educational pathways for students from Transition through to Year 12 who have demonstrated excelled aptitude in the classroom.
The Preparatory School Honours Program delivers significantly differentiated courses in the core subjects of English, Mathematics and the basic tools of effective thinking, Thinking Skills.
The Honours Quest is a new approach to Honours in the Senior School, where students aim to achieve Honours in an entire faculty, rather than in single subjects. The faculties at Scots are Applied Science, Humanities, and Creative Arts.