Scots College – Learning. For Life.

Why does the College need to fundraise?

Scots College was founded on philanthropy that lessened the burden of financial commitment to establish the school. Annually the Board seeks to keep any fee increase to a minimum to allow families to access the College. An excellent education is underpinned by excellent facilities. In order to provide these it is necessary to fundraise. We are now taking on another financial commitment to further the opportunities that we can offer our boys and we hope that with the support of our community we can again reduce the financial commitment.

Why is the College asking for assistance with funding resources when it is in receipt of College fees?

Tuition fees are set at a level to run the College’s day to day operations. The Board seeks to keep these fees as low as possible and effectively runs a break even operational budget. These new facilities are providing above and beyond this offering to the boys, and we need further funding to achieve this.

Does this mean that fees will go up?

Rather than increase fees the Board is seeking funding in a more transparent and fairer process through fundraising and loans. This will ensure that future generations do not bear an undue burden.

Does the building fund levy not cover this?

The building levy is an annual payment for building development and upgrade. The amount raised annually is not sufficient to fund a project of this magnitude. The Building levy funds will be applied to these projects, but additional fundraising is required to assist.

Will the Prep boys benefit as much as the Middle and Senior School boys?

All boys at the College will use and benefit from both the Creative and Performing Arts Centre (CPAC) and the Hodge Sports Centre (HSC). One of the driving factors for the creation of CPAC was the great benefit of shared resources for Prep, Middle and Senior students.

Why has the building already started for the Creative and Performing Arts Centre?

The College has secured a loan for the building and it is hoped that money through fundraising will reduce the lending. The original intention was to have a $2m fundraising campaign to cover the cost of the Hodge Sports Centre. Additionally we are seeking to approach members of the community who would prefer to support the Arts Centre.

What sources is the fundraising coming from?

We are seeking individual and corporate funding from all areas of the Scots College community: past and current College parents, past students, and other supporters of the College, and indeed philanthropists in the New Zealand community with an interest in supporting education. We are also seeking funds Trusts and Foundations.

Why should current College parents support this?

Your boys and others who follow will directly benefit from these world-class facilities and will have enviable opportunities available to them.

Why should past College parents or students support this?

You have received the benefit of the quality education and experience provided by the College. Scots College is enormously proud of its Old Boys, they are the global citizens the College sets out to educate and they are testimony to the all-round offering of opportunity at Scots. To further the College and secure its position and reputation as a leading provider of the highest quality educational experience for now and in the future, the College cannot rest on its current achievements and must move forward. It is beneficial to you as a member of the Scots College community as it is to future members, that the College progresses and meets the needs and demands of a changing society, and maintains its reputation for a world class holistic education. This is an opportunity to allow others to access the same education you had.

Why does the College need a new Arts Centre and Sports Centre?

The Board of Governors identified two areas of the College offering in need of improvement:

Both performing (music and drama) and creative (graphics and art) are popular with the boys and yet the facilities do not adequately accommodate or inspire interest in this area, particularly when compared to the more traditional subjects for boys. Scots has some innovative subjects in this area including film production and film music and animation and these are in urgent need of the environment in which they should be taught.

The drainage on the sports field is a major issue for all sports at the College. Our cricket nets are dilapidated and in urgent need of replacing. This situation is compounded by the sporadic Wellington weather that restricts the amount of outdoor practice time available. However our sporting teams are thriving recently and have performed superbly despite this and we must ensure that they have the facilities that are deserving of this success. We took the decision not just to replace the current cricketing nets and improve drainage, but to create a facility that would allow our cricketers to practice indoors, all year round, and benefit every other field sport at the College too.

Is a capital campaign just about buildings?

The building designs are innovative and creative but what is most impressive about these projects is what is going to take place inside the buildings: what these facilities will actually provide for the boys. The enviable learning opportunities our boys will have by what will be available to them inside the CPAC is leading edge in terms of education practice and leading the way in New Zealand. The CSC has been endorsed by Cricket Wellington for having one of the best training environments in the country, and all our field sports will be advantaged for having a purpose built training area.

As part of the campaign we will also offer the option of donating to a scholarship so if you would prefer to be part of allowing a student to benefit from the current and these new offerings at Scots, rather than donating to the facilities themselves please do so.

How long will the buildings take to be completed?

Work on the Creative and Performing Arts Centre will be completed in early January 2012 and the Centre will be available for use in Term 1, 2012.

Work on the Covered Sports Centre was completed in November 2011 and the building is now operational.

How much will it cost?

The Creative and Performing Arts Centre will cost approximately $14m and the Covered Sports Centre will be $2.75m

How is it being funded?

It is hoped the fundraising campaign will contribute at least $2m towards the cost of the projects. The remaining funds will taken from a loan repaid through property investments the College has secured.

Are donations to the Campaign tax deductable?

All donations to the Building The All-Round Man Campaign are eligible for tax credits of either 1/3 of the amount of the donation or 1/3 of the donor's income, whichever is the lesser, in accordance with current legislation. 

Do leading gifts receive any other benefits?

There are naming rights available in both the Creative and Performing Arts Centre and the Hodge Sports Centre.

If you would like to put your name to our art, recording, drama, or pipeband facilities or have a cricket lane in your name there are numerous options for you.

How do I make a contribution to the ‘Building the All Round Man’ Campaign?

You can donate online by credit card, or make bank transfer, set up a monthly/annual AP, or send in a cheque.

Donations can be in one payment or spread over 3 years.

What sort of level of donation is acceptable?

Any contribution will make a difference. The campaign is not just about large donations, its about the greater community supporting the projects. We will be grateful to members of our community getting behind the project with a show of support with whatever you can afford.