Scots College – Learning. For Life.

Mr John Western

1. How long have you been Principal of the Prep School? And why did you choose to come to Scots College?
   I started at the end of October 2011. I have been a Principal for ten years. For the last five years I have been Principal of Queenstown Primary School. QPS has around 700 students and has students in Year 1 to 8. I was very excited about the opportunity to return my family to Wellington, work in an IB school and that my boys will attend Scots. We wanted the best education possible for them.
2. How long have you been a teacher? And what schools have you taught at previously?
   I have been a teacher for over 20 years. I have worked at Waimea Intermediate in Nelson, Hong Kong International School, Fergusson Intermediate in Upper Hutt, Karori Normal School, Maungaraki School and Queenstown Primary School.
3. What do you enjoy most about being a Principal?
   That every day is different and that I can help teachers to make the biggest positive difference to students. I enjoy helping students to be the best they can be.
4. Who was your most memorable teacher when you were at school, and why?
   I have been fortunate to have many great teachers. The most memorable would be Mr Sloan. He was my Year 8 teacher and loved sport, science and maths. He made me work hard but we also had lots of fun in his class.
5. What are you most looking forward to in your new role as Principal of the Prep School?
   There are so many things. I am really looking forward to learning about the IB programme as I believe this is the best education possible. I am also looking forward to working in a school with boys from 5 to 18 years. I am also very proud that my own two sons will attend Scots from the beginning of 2012.
6. What three things do you think are really exciting about the Prep School?
   I can think of many more than three! The great teachers we have. All the opportunities boys have (PE, Art, Science, Music, RE, House system and lots more). That we know each boy as an individual and cater for their needs.
7. What three things do you think Prep School students really need to focus on to do well and get the most out of their time at school?
   Take part fully in all the programmes and opportunities, work on reading writing and maths, develop their ability in the learner profile attributes.
8. What is your role as Principal? Do you also teach classes?
   As Principal I need to make sure all the students are doing the best they can. This means helping them in class, helping teachers and helping parents. I am also going to teach, but have not yet decided in what area or subject. Maybe something using technology and the additional iPads we will be purchasing for next year. I have a few possible ideas!
9. If you weren’t a teacher, what would you like to be?
   I have often thought that if I was not a teacher I would have liked to be a doctor. I like helping people and making a difference. I even think my handwriting is just right to be a doctor!
10. Do you have any children? What age are they?
    I have two boys, Ryan is 15 and Elliot is 12.
11. What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
    I have a large number of interests outside work. It is just hard to find time for them all! I really enjoy spending time with my family and supporting my boys with their sport and music activities. When I am not doing this I enjoy mountain biking, road riding, golf, kayaking, skiing and fishing, water skiing and reading books

Yes, every year one Year 6 boy is chosen to be Head Boy of the Prep School. He is selected by the teachers as a student with great leadership skills, who will set a good example for the younger boys.

The Head Boy has special tasks and responsibilities to perform throughout the year such as public speaking and also as the leader for the Year 6 Senior Leaders. Year 6 students are Senior Leaders and have some key leadership responsibilities within the Prep School.

Each day you need to be at school by 8.20am because your first class starts at 8.30am. It’s a good idea to get to school early so that you’re sitting at your desk and ready to start when the bell goes.

The school day finishes at 3.15pm

There are four Houses in the Prep School - Potatau, Bedding, Macarthur and McKelvie. Every new boy from Years 1 -6 is assigned to a House, either according to family links if they have an older brother at the school, or alternatively boys are allocated to the four Houses evenly.

There are 30-36 boys in each House from Years 1-6, so it’s a great way to meet new friends of different ages. All four Houses compete in a whole variety of school activities throughout the year – Sports, Music, Haka and there’s even a Tug-of-War competition. House points are tallied at the end of each term and competition is fierce!

Learn more about Prep School House System

It’s very important that your Mum, Dad, or Caregiver call the school and let them know that you’re running late, otherwise we will begin to worry about you being lost. There is a special school absentee phone number that they need to call by 8.45am at the latest: 380 7588 extn 2. It is important to ring early.

We need to know every day as soon as possible.

Yes, every year a Year 6 boy is chosen to be the leader of each House. They are chosen because they have demonstrated the ability to be great team leaders.

Being a Head of House is a chance for them to set a good example for the younger boys and make sure everyone is included and competes with enthusiasm and pride.

Your teacher will tell you exactly where you’re meant to be – you don’t need to worry.

You will have one ‘Homeroom Teacher’ who will teach you all your main subjects such as English, Mathematics and Inquiry in your own classroom. Sometimes your class will go to a different classroom with a special teacher for subjects such as Music, Art and Design, Religious Education, Physical Education and when you learn a second Language (Language B).

We have a number of bus services in operation both to and from the College. We are still awaiting confirmation from Go Wellington buses regarding 2012, and once all routes and timetables are confirmed, this information will be emailed out to all families before the beginning of the school year.

You will need to work out which is the closest bus stop to your home. At the end of the day you line up in bus lines in the Prep School Quad and a teacher takes you down to the bus and makes sure you are on the bus and settled. You need to know which stop to get off. You will have a ‘bus buddy’ to make sure you are OK.

The first person you should talk to is your Homeroom Teacher. Your Syndicate Dean is the next person (there is a ‘Syndicate Dean’ teacher assigned to every year group (1-6). If it is very important, you may like to talk to the Principal, Mr Western.

There is a fantastic range of teams, groups and clubs outside the classroom that you can be part of at Scots.

Here’s a list of some of the activities you might want to have a go at : Flippaball, Miniball, Colts Cricket, Hockey, Rugby, Football, Touch Rugby, Cross Country, Running, Gardening, Environmental Council, Choir and Orchestra.

Your Homeroom Teacher is in charge of your care and welfare. They see you every day and you will get to know them very well.

Mrs Palmer, our Deputy Principal is in charge of Pastoral Care in the Prep School. Her job is to make sure you’re happy at school, and if there is a problem, to help fix it. She works with your teacher to make sure you’ve set some really exciting goals for the year, and that you’re on track to achieve those goals.

If you need extra help in a subject Mrs Palmer will meet with you and your parents to work out the best way to help you… and if you have made a poor decision, Mrs Palmer is in charge of discipline, so she is the one you have to explain yourself to!

 

Yes, the Prep School has a lovely library that is located on the ground floor of the main building. You will visit the library regularly with your class, but you can also come at lunchtime to read a book or after school to do homework while you’re waiting to be collected.

In the Prep School you will be taught most of your subjects by your Homeroom Teacher. You will have specialist teachers for PE, Music, Art and Religious Studies and Language B.

If you are having trouble doing your homework, or understanding what’s going on in class the best thing to do is talk with your homeroom teacher who will help sort things out for you.

Yes, a homework club is run in the Prep School Library after school each day. Your parents can register you for this.

In the Prep School we learn in a special way that’s called the ‘Primary Years Programme’ (PYP). PYP is part of the International Baccalaureate World School Curriculum (of which Scots College is a member). The PYP programme is all about thinking for yourself, asking questions and learning actively and creatively, and a second language is taught from Year 1-6, which is pretty cool!

The PYP programme will help you to be active participants in a lifelong journey of learning. At Scots we call it ‘Learning. For Life.’

Our Prep School office and reception entrance is further up Monorgan Road (past the main College gates). Our building is the large grey wooden building with a beautiful verandah.

There will be a maximum of 25 boys in a class. Most have between 12 and 20 boys. This means you’ll get to know your classmates really well and make some great new friends.

We have a Chapel Service every Friday morning. Our Assembly is on Monday.

You need to wear your ‘No 1 Uniform’ to school on Fridays for Chapel.

The Prep School has its own special area of the College, and the main entrance is through the grey wooden building on Monorgan Road. In the Prep School there are eight Homerooms (Room 1-8), a Science Lab, Art & Design Room, a Library and a Music Room.

When you have PE Class you will use a variety of the College facilities including fields, College Gym and our amazing new Hodge Sports Centre.

As you get older your parents might decide that it is necessary for you to have a mobile phone. If your parents would like you to be able to bring your mobile phone to school, then they need to write a letter to Mr Western requesting permission for you to do so.

During the day valuables such as your mobile phone and wallet are looked after by your Homeroom Teacher. The College is looking at options to bring your own device (such as a laptop or iPad) to school.

We are not quite ready for this, but will let your parents know as soon as a decision has been made. We have iPads, laptops and desk top computers at school for you to use.

You can eat your lunch on the verandah in front of the Prep classrooms, then you can play in the Prep Quad, on the Back Field or the College Astro Turf.

If you like you can visit the Prep Library during lunchtime to read or change your books.

On wet days you eat your lunch in your classroom and play inside.

We have two uniforms.

Number 2 Uniform is worn Monday – Thursday. This is your blazer, grey school shirt and tie, grey shorts, socks and black school shoes.

On Fridays we wear No 1 Uniform which is a white shirt, blazer, tie, grey shorts and black shoes. Each day we expect you to look smart and wear your uniform properly. While at school you can take your blazer and tie off and on some days and activities you can change into your PE Uniform.

When you have PE you change into your House tee-shirt (these are your House colour – red, blue, yellow or green) and shorts.

You also bring your special black school bag and a red pencil case. To and from College we expect you to have your socks up, ties on and looking tidy. Make sure your shoes are freshly nuggeted!