Scots College – Learning. For Life.

Introduction
In 2010 the Scots College Board of Governors released its updated Strategic Statement 2010 – 2014. This communication is an update on the road to implementing the three school model.

Timeline
The College will operate as three separate schools from Term 1, 2012. Please note that in the Strategic Statement this was outlined as “from 2011”. The intent of this statement was from the end of 2011 and this poor wording has caused some confusion that we now wish to clarify.

The previous structure
Up until Term 4, 2011, the College was managed by the Headmaster who has overall responsibility for all aspects of College operation from Years 1 – 13. The College operated as two schools; a Preparatory School from Years 1 – 8 and a Secondary School from Years 9 – 13. The responsibility for the day-to-day operation and curriculum delivery for the Preparatory School was delegated to the Principal, Peter Cassie (since replaced in October 2011, by Mr John Western), while the Headmaster and his Deputy had responsibility for the day-to-day operation and curriculum delivery in the Secondary School.

Why Change to a three school model?
As the College has grown the Preparatory Roll has reached in excess of 300 students and the Secondary School close to 500 students. The College is committed to being of a size where each boy is known. Splitting into three schools with separate Heads will maintain this culture.

The College has adopted the three International Baccalaureate Programs:

• The Primary Years Program (PYP) from years 1 – 6
• The Middle Years Program (MYP) from years 7 – 10
• The IB Diploma in years 12 and 13

These programs give a natural split in the progression of students throughout the College.

Please note the College offers NCEA level 1 at Year 11 and offers a dual pathway for students at years 12 and 13 by offering NCEA levels 2 and 3 or the IB Diploma Program. The College is committed to offering two well taught and resourced qualifications, thus providing student choice.

The creation of a Middle School will give increased focus to the learning needs of students from years 7 – 10 allowing us to further develop our pastoral care and leadership programs as well as developing the curriculum choices for these students.

What has happened already?
The Board has committed to the implementation of the three school model. The MYP program is being implemented in Years 7, 8 and 9 and was trialled in Year 10 in 2011. It is our intention to seek full authorisation from the IBO in 2012. A new Middle School administration area has been built as part of the new Creative and Performing Arts Centre. This will be officially opened in Term 1, 2012. This centre will also provide additional specialist teaching areas.

Much work has been carried out in the area of curriculum development with professional development for staff. In addition to this there have already been a number of curriculum and facilities developments with:

• The provision of drama and hard material technology for years 7 and 8
• Increased language options in the Preparatory School
• The addition of Robotics to the Year 9 curriculum
• The development of a leadership program as part of our core curriculum at years 9 and 10
• Increased provision of Religious Education throughout the College
• The trial of a laptop class at year 7
• The addition of a fourth class at year 7. There will be a fourth class added at year 8 in 2011 a fifth class added at year 9 in 2012 and year 10 in 2013

How will the new three school model be structured?
The Headmaster to retain overall responsibility for all aspects of the College’s operation from Years 1 - 13. Mr Peter Cassie is the Principal of the Middle School, with day-to-day responsibility for Years 7 – 10 and the MYP programme. Mr John Western has been appointed as Principal of the Prep School to oversee the day to day operation of Years 1 – 6 and the PYP program. The Headmaster and his Deputy will retain the responsibility of the day-to-day operation of Years 11 – 13, and the delivery of NCEA and the IB Diploma.

The Headmaster and Principal of the Preparatory School visited similar schools in Australia in June 2011 to study best practice. From this visit and subsequent discussions with Staff, they have implemented the necessary structures to operate the three schools in 2011, thus having the College operational in Term 1, 2012.

While the structures of the College have changed we are still committed to:

• academic excellence
• a diverse, challenging and modern curriculum
• the core College values and culture
• a House system with individualised pastoral care
• a wide variety of quality co-curricular options
• development of leadership and citizenship in our students
• key entry points at years 7 and 9

Developments on the Three School Model can be read from the Headmaster's blog.