Junior School

Welcome to our Junior School website which I hope gives you an insight into the Junior School and Scots College.

The Junior School vision is, “To develop students who take ownership of their own learning, while developing the values and personal standards to successfully navigate the next stage of their education and beyond with distinction”.

To achieve this vision, Scots College Junior School provides an education that inspires independence and academic challenge through effective implementation of the PYP programme. We provide a safe and engaging learning environment, first class teaching and learning, small class sizes, excellent pastoral care and well-being initiatives with an increased focus on service and leadership. This allows students to leave Scots College Junior School confident, articulate and with the moral compass and personal standards to succeed in everything they do. 

We proudly deliver the International Baccalaureate Primary Years programme (PYP) that focuses on delivering a quality, rounded education with relevant real-world contexts. Clear goals and expectations are discussed and negotiated with students so that they are active participants in their own learning. Responsibility for learning outcomes is shared between students, parents and teachers, resulting in increased motivation and commitment from students. 

We strive for our learners to be:

• Inquirers
• Knowledgeable
• Thinkers
• Communicators
• Principled
• Open-minded
• Caring
• Risk-takers
• Balanced
• Reflective

Our Junior School feeds into the Middle School and develops the skills needed to gain the most success from the IB Middle Years and Diploma Programmes.

We support our students to achieve to the best of their ability and are very proud of the world class education we deliver. We have an incredibly dedicated and talented staff, small class sizes, outstanding resources and provide a rounded education that includes Music instruction, learning of a second language, Outdoor Education opportunities and specialist Physical Education. As well as these key aspects, we have an expectation that your child will develop into a well-rounded young individual, with a values system and moral compass to help them successfully navigate the next stage of their education.

As you continue to browse through our website, I hope you gain a sense of what an amazing place Scots College Junior School is for your child(ren). If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. I would be delighted to meet with you so you can see us in action, and we can discuss your child and how we can help them realise their potential.

Richard Kirk
Principal of the Junior School

Request a Prospectus | Contact our Admissions Team

About our Junior School Principal

Richard joined Scots College Junior School as the Principal in May 2020.

Over his 20 years in education, Richard has taught in a variety of schools. After completing his training at the University of Auckland, Richard began his teaching career in the UK where he worked in a variety of roles in junior schools before specialising in English. After eight years of running the English Dept at a boarding school in Oxfordshire, Richard moved home to NZ and began working at Saint Kentigern Boys’ School in Auckland. Here, he began as HOD English and soon after, became the Senior Dean, responsible for the running of the intermediate years before making the move to Wellington and Scots College. During this time, Richard completed a Masters of Education demonstrating his belief that learning is for life.

Richard believes in setting high standards for his students from an early age, particularly in regard to the values they show, the expectations they have for themselves and the lessons that can be learned from mistakes. He says, “I believe in four main ideas that underpin what I want for my students. Academic rigour and effective teaching and learning strategies are the most important aspect of any school, but I also want my students to experience school in a holistic sense. This means being involved outside the classroom in a variety of ways and being allowed to follow their passions, whatever they may be. I also want my students to learn to lead by first serving others and to have the independence to make decisions and learn from the outcomes of these.”

A family man, Richard has moved to Wellington with his wife Amanda and two sons. Richard is a keen sportsman, with cricket, rugby, golf and football as his passions. He also plays the guitar and loves getting into the outdoors as often as is possible.