The Scots College “Brave Hearts Bold Minds” education philosophy provides a personalised learning framework for all students, preparing them for success in the contemporary world. Hamish Dunbar started at Scots in 2010 as a boarder in Fairfax House, one of the five boarding house “families”. He completed his HSC in 2013 and says his experience was overwhelmingly positive. “Maybe one little thing I missed was my mum’s homemade cooking!” Hamish admits.
Fostering a love of learning is a priority at Scots. As such, a wide range of co-curricular activities can be pursued at every stage of the “Brave Hearts Bold Minds” journey, including Community Service, Debating and Public Speaking, Film and Media, Performing Arts and Pipes and Drums. “Being at Scots definitely made me more independent,” Hamish says. “It was up to me to take ownership of my education. While being a Scots boy, you have to get among it and have a crack.” Hamish displayed this vital have-a-go attitude by getting involved in all aspects of college life. His leadership qualities were quickly recognised in the College Cadet Unit, the largest schoolboy Cadet Unit in Australia. As Second-In-Charge, he took part in ANZAC Day services and helped lead the College’s 62nd Annual Parade of Remembrance in front of 1000 spectators. As captain of the 1st XV Rugby team, Hamish led his team to the first GPS Premiership victory in 20 years.
Sport is synonymous with the Scots experience; the boys are encouraged to discover personal strength born from competition and camaraderie. “Having two years in the 1st XV and captaining in my final year was truly an honour,” Hamish says. “I will never forget the time I spent in these teams with such a tight group of mates.” Hamish’s advice to future Scots students is to “enjoy every moment because it will be over before you know it”.
The 2013 HSC results are testament to the boys’ passion and commitment to their own learning. Six boys achieved ATARs of 99 and above, 34 boys achieved ATARs of 95 and above and 71 Scots boys appeared in the Distinguished Achiever listings (results above 90).
Facilities: The Scots College houses state-ofthe- art facilities spread over six campuses. The Graeme Clark Centre for Innovation in the Sciences promotes, in the hearts and minds of Scots boys, a love and appreciation of the sciences. The centre provides leading infrastructure and technological platforms to inspire students and teachers. The Library and Digital Resource Centre (the Stevenson Library) is a vibrant learning place in the Senior School where the quest for knowledge and exploration into the world of Digital Media is cultivated.
The Centenary Centre at The Scots College houses the highly regarded Music Department and the Christian Studies Department. This facility includes a recording studio, computer keyboard laboratories and specialist music classrooms. The Sports Science Lab at The Scots College is equipped with technologies that enhance performance, metabolic rates and body compositions. The Science Lab features a gold standard Bod Pod, the only technology of its kind within NSW that measures the body composition by means of air displacement. Boarding at Scots is available from Year 5. As boarders, boys stay in one of the five boarding houses at the premises of the college. Here, they become a part of a community, which they perceive as a family.
As boarders at The Scots College, boys receive high-quality education in a safe and nurturing environment. The college focuses great attention on pastoral care and individual development to ensure the boys are supported to reach their full potential. Boarders also have access to facilities such as a clinic staffed by qualified nursing sisters 24 hours a day, a swimming pool, gym, weights and aerobics rooms, the oval, basketball courts as well as the Boatsheds.
Electives Years 7 to 10: Chinese, Christian <Studies, Commerce, Contemporary Music, Design and Technology, Drama, English, Honours English, French, Geography, Graphics Technology, History, Indonesian, Industrial Technology, Information and Software Technology, Latin, Mathematics, Honours Mathematics, Music, PDHPE, Photographic and Digital Media, Physical Activity and Sports Science, Science, Honours Science, Visual Arts.
Electives Years 11 and 12: Ancient History, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Chinese, Design and Technology, Drama, Earth and Environmental Science, Economics, English (Advanced, Standard, Extensions 1 and 2, ESL), French, Geography, History Extension, Indonesian, Information Processes and Technology, Latin, Legal Studies, Lifestyle and Recreation Studies, Mathematics (General, 2 Unit, 3 Unit and 4 Unit), Modern History, Music (1, 2 and Extension), PDHPE, Photography, Physics, Senior Science, Software Design and Development, Sport, Studies in Religion, Video and Digital Imaging, Visual Arts. There is also a selection of VET courses such as Project Management, Hospitality and Hotel Management, and Logistics and Event Management.
Sport: Sport is integral to the Scots experience. Specialist coaches offer a wide range of sports including athletics, basketball, cricket, cross-country, football, rifle shooting, rowing, rugby, sailing, snow sports, swimming, tennis, volleyball and water polo. As a result of the extensive sport program at The Scots College, boys are competing in prestigious inter-school competitions through the AAGPS (Athletic Association of the Great Public Schools).
Co-Curricular activities: The Co-Curricular Program at the college for students in transition to Year 12 includes Cadets, Pipes and Drums, Music, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Debating and Public Speaking, Photography, Film and Media, AV, Chess and Community Service. Welfare and Pastoral Care. Pastoral Care at Scots focuses on the development of the whole student; his values, attitudes and character on the journey to manhood. The program fosters a school environment, which allows each boy to feel valued and to develop to his full potential.
Special features: At The Scots College, the Academic Program is supported by outdoor education, leadership, co-curricular and sporting programs designed to challenge and inspire boys. An innovative and colourful curriculum for the youngest Scots boys at the Early Years and the Early Learning Centres is inspired by Reggio Emilia’s principles to harness their natural curiosity, energy and desire for exploration. As they progress through the Preparatory School, the youngest Scots boys are encouraged to develop an understanding of humanity and the importance of interdependence in the world. The education philosophy of the college emphasises that adventure is core to a boy’s experiences in his early Senior School years. There is a focus on collaborative learning and boys become increasingly aware of what it means to be a global citizen, to be respectful of different cultures and to take responsibility in one’s community.
The Glengarry Program: The Year 9 Scots boys spend two terms living away from home at the Glengarry campus in Kangaroo Valley. The Glengarry Program provides a learning environment with the highest level of ORIC accreditation and extensive safety and riskmanagement procedures. There is also an extensive Honours Program that enables selected students to undertake extension and enrichment in a number of disciplines.
Principal: Dr Ian PM Lambert.