Arts & Cultural Activities
At Scots College our goal is to develop all-round character in our students, and as part of this we offer a rich arts and cultural programme that includes music, drama and various other cultural opportunities.
Our Creative & Performing Arts Centre (CPAC) is a state-of-the-art creative teaching, rehearsal and performance facility. It houses a fully equipped theatre, computer pods for animation, art spaces, a recording studio and several acoustically designed music practice rooms, a designated rehearsal studio and facilities for film and animation production.
The arts and cultural experiences we provide our students with not only develop artistic proficiency, but also foster skills such as self-confidence, communication, teamwork, and resilience.
Whether it's participating in a school choir or band, debating joining in a drama production, or learning an instrument, all our students have opportunities to develop a range of skills, perform on stage, and collaborate with fellow artists.
Bands & Ensembles
We encourage all musicians to be an active member of at least one music group. It teaches musical discipline and encourages friendships alongside preparing for many high-profile events.
Contact Ivan Patterson if you are unclear which group is appropriate for you or if you want to organise rehearsals for your own group.
Itinerant Lessons
Scots College offers a variety of itinerant music lessons, including;
- Bass Guitar
- Bassoon
- Brass (Trumpet,Trombone, French Horn)
- Cello
- Drums & Percussion
- Flute
- Guitar
- Piano
- Pipe Band (Pipes & Chanter)
- Pipe Band (Drums)
- Recorder
- Violin
- Voice
- Woodwind
Click here to learn more or to book lessons.
Key Information
Terms 1-4
Teacher in Charge: Ivan Patterson - pattersoni@scotscollege.school.nz
Kotahitanga Choir
It is an energetic group that combines fine singing with movement. The Kotahitanga Choir participate in a wide range of concerts and events including Scots Got Talent, Scots Spectacular, Kids Sing, and Firecrackers. This is a full year commitment.
Key Information:
Years 7-8
Wednesdays/Fridays 8:00am - 8:40am.
Director: Joanna Calvert - calvertj@scotscollege.school.nz
Kairangi Chorale
The Kairangi Chorale is a group for singers wanting to develop higher-level vocal skills in an environment where they tackle challenging music and performance situations. It is a full year commitment.
Key Information:
Open to ambitious and committed students - Years 11-13.
Mondays 3:40pm - 5:00pm
Director: Ivan Patterson - pattersoni@scotscollege.school.nz
Strathmore Singers
We tackle a wide range of music that is designed to develop voices to their potential in an enjoyable and supportive environment. It is a full-year commitment that gives many performance opportunities.
Key Information
Years 9-13
Tuesdays/Thursdays 8:00am - 8:40am
Director: Ivan Patterson - pattersoni@scotscollege.school.nz
Jazz Band
A very busy and high-energy group that tackles a wide range of music from funk to jazz. The highlight of most years is attending the National Youth Jazz Competition in Tauranga, as well as performing in a range of local concerts.
Key Information
Years 9-13
Tuesday 3:40pm - 5:00pm
Director: Mike Ashton - ashtonm@scotscollege.school.nz
Manager: Ivan Patterson - pattersoni@scotscollege.school.nz
Scots College Orchestra
The Scots Orchestra is the music ensemble for confident instrumentalists who want to develop their skills through playing a wide range of music from film themes to classical. They regularly perform at major events, including the annual Artsplash in the Michael Fowler Centre.
Key Information
Open to instrumentalists in Years 7-13 with at least three years of playing experience.
Wednesdays 3:40 - 4:50pm (Followed by Scots Strings rehearsal).
Directors:
Ivan Patterson (Orchestra) - pattersoni@scotscollege.school.nz
Joanna Calvert (Strings) - calvertj@scotscollege.school.nz
Scots Rock
The Scots Rock programme is an opportunity for students to learn the process of performing and creating rock songs in a band setting.
Key Information
Years 7-13
Friday 3:40pm - 5:00pm
Director: Marius Nel
- nelmm@scotscollege.school.nz
Scots Strings
The music ensemble for confident instrumentalists who want to develop their skills through playing a wide range of music - from film themes to classical.
Key Information
Open to musicians in the Scots Orchestra
Wednesday 4:30pm - 5:15pm (after Orchestra)
Director: Joanna Calvert - calvertj@scotscollege.school.nz
Twisted Notes
Twisted Notes is the ensemble for developing players that aims to twist together the music of an orchestra and jazz band for an enjoyable mixture of styles.
Key Information
For instrumentalists to join after initial lessons to give experience of playing in a group. Mainly for musicians from Years 7-11.
Practices on Tuesday lunchtime.
Director: Mike Ashton - ashtonm@scotscollege.school.nz
Manager: Joanna Calvert - calvertj@scotscollege.school.nz
Chess
Chess Club
The chess club competes throughout the year, within the College at lunchtimes, at the Wellington Regional Championships, and at the NZSS Championships.
Key Information
Teams: Years 7-10, Years 11-13
Teacher in Charge: Mei Zhan - zhanme@scotscollege.school.nz
Debating
Years 7-8
At the Year 7-8 level, debating is an impromptu/limited preparation club with an emphasis on fun and gaining experience and confidence.
Key Information
Terms 1-3
All teams compete fortnightly at lunchtime
Teacher in Charge: Victoria Papadopoulos - papadopoulosv@scotscollege.school.nz
Years 9-13
All teams compete in the WSU (Wellington Speaking Union) regular competition T1-3. Premier and some Senior Cert teams also compete at Regionals in T1. There are other competitions throughout the year that individual teams can enter.
Prem A compete against Lindisfarne College in the annual winter fixture in T2, and against the Scots Collegians in T3.
Premier and Senior Certificate teams are strictly limited in number, so in the event that more students sign up than there are places, there will need to be trials.
Junior Certificate is an open grade with no limits, and no need for experience. Anyone can sign up, as long as they can commit to the Wednesday debate and practice time. Juniors, please make sure you have no clashes with Wednesday sport before signing up.
Key Information
Terms 1-3
Prem A /B & Junior Prem: Tuesdays
Senior Cert: Thursdays
Junior Cert: Wednesdays
Teacher in Charge: Victoria Papadopoulos - papadopoulosv@scotscollege.school.nz
Drama
48h Film Festival
Years 7-13
Teacher in Charge: Ian Leslie - lesliei@scotscollege.school.nz
School Production
Terms 2-3 (Show 10-12 August)
Years 7-13
Teacher in Charge: Rachel More More - rachel.more@scotscollege.school.nz
Sheila Winn Shakespeare Competition
Term 1
Years 7-13
Teacher in Charge: Paula Eastman - eastmanp@scotscollege.school.nz
Showquest Performance
Terms 1-2
Years 7-13
Teacher in Charge: Paula Eastman - eastmanp@scotscollege.school.nz
Showquest Toi Wearable Art
Terms 1-2
Years 9-13
Teacher in Charge: Katherine Bertram - katherine.bertram@scotscollege.school.nz
Speech & Drama
I believe that communication, in all its forms is the most basic and essential life skill. A confident speaker can share their ideas, dreams, values, and goals, as well as instruct and impart their knowledge in all stages of life. My teaching mission is to assist students of all ages to be the best they can be in their clarity of articulation and speaking confidence. I tailor my lessons to meet the individual needs, interests and goals of the students.
I teach students at Scots College from Initial (7 years of age) up to Grade 7. I teach primarily from the Speech NZ Flexi Syllabus. I teach speech, drama, public speaking, impromptu speaking, and poetry. Most students take up the option of sitting exams. I teach individual classes, pairs, and groups of up to 4 students.
For more information and to register for 2024, please contact me on robyn@speakwell.co.nz or 027 2018766
Public Speaking
My name is Maggie Baker and I have been teaching senior students privately at Scots College this year in Public Speaking. I teach from Initial grades through to Diplomas offering from two syllabi;
- Trinity College of London - The Speech and Drama syllabus is aimed at students who are interested in building knowledge in all aspects of Drama. This includes elements of characterisation, poetry, talks, and impromptu exercises. Students build on general communicative skills while increasing their imagination and confidence in a supportive environment. Exams can be individual, pair, or group. Some of the Disciplines include: Performance Arts, Musical Theatre, Public Speaking, and more.
- Speech NZ - Syllabi are written and revised by New Zealanders. The content and tasks are relevant and specific to New Zealand candidates. The vision of Speech NZ is to develop confident, articulate New Zealand voices through relevant, future focussed strategies that empower and strengthen individuals and their communities. Syllabi include: Oral Communication, Speech and Drama, Theatre in Action, Flexi Speaking and Performing, Communication in Leadership, and more.
For more information, please contact me on maggie.education@gmail.com or 0212576198
Pasifika Alo Fa’atasi (PAF)
Pasifika Alo Fa'atasi (PAF)
Open Membership: Inclusive and open to all students at Scots College. In partnership with Kāhui Raukura.
In terms 1-3, the group will be dedicating their time to practices for the Wellington Secondary Schools TuTagata Polynesian Festival. This is held each year at the TSB Arena. All Wellington Central Secondary Schools are involved in this event, and Scots College is excited to be able to participate each year. Each year, the group will look at offering NCEA and UE Credits for Senior students who perform for the Festival.
Parents Fono is held every first Monday of the month. This will include Home School Partnership sessions to support our students at home with their families.
Each year we concentrate on celebrating 2 Languages during National Language weeks in Term 2 and 3.
Key Information
Years 7-13
PAF is a full-year commitment.
Practices are Sunday 4pm - 6pm & Monday 4pm - 6pm
Pipe Band
Pipe Band
The Scots College Pipe Band has a history almost as long as Scots College itself. It was founded in 1925 under the direction of the then Headmaster, Mr J.H. Murdoch.
The band is a very active and integral part of the College. As well as functioning as a public relations feature of the College, it also provides students with an opportunity to learn a musical instrument, take part in a disciplined musical ensemble, and provides a much appreciated community service.
The band plays regularly at College and Community functions, as well as State and Civic parades. Members also compete as a band and as individuals, at the local and National level.
Key Information
Being a member of the Scots College Pipe Band is a major commitment year-round, for students and their parents, but most can cope with band membership and a sport and still maintain a good academic programme.
Teacher in Charge: Ian Leslie - lesliei@scotscollege.school.nz
Te Ohu Hoe o Kāhui Raukura
Te Ohu Hoe o Kāhui Raukura
Inclusive and open to all Students at Scots College wanting to participate in Kaupapa Māori Initiatives. In Partnership with Pasifika Alo Fa’atasi.
Kāhui Raukura means "a collective group of Leaders paddling a Waka in unison." The dual meaning of Kāhui Raukura also acknowledges the three Raukura feathers of Te Atiawa tribe worn in the hair of the wāhine Toa and Rangatira.
Kotahi te kohao o te ngira e kuhuna ai te miro ma, te miro pango, te miro whero - Through the eye of the needle pass the white thread, the black thread, and the red thread.
Key Information
Ngā Kaiako:
Kaiwhakahaere Māori: Emerson Nikora - nikorae@scotscollege.school.nz
Te Ao Haka NCEA: Katarina McInnes - katarina.mcinnes@scotscollege.school.nz
ICT: Sheree Bennett - bennetts@scotscollege.school.nz
Pouako: Richard Kirk - kirkr@scotscollege.school.nz
Kāhui Kaimahi: Staff Support Team: Te Ohu Māori o Kōtarani