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 and 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 is 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.
Please scroll down to read more about the full range of arts and cultural activities available at Scots College.
Open Arts and Cultural Registrations
Current students should use the button below to register for their Arts and Cultural activities. This will show all the activities which are currently open for registrations. Here you will also find our Co-Curricular Calendar and details about our Arts and Cultural Achievements awards.
Itinerant Music Lessons
Scots College offers a variety of itinerant music lessons. To learn more about what we offer or to book lessons, click here.
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.
Kotahitanga Choirs
The Kotahitanga Choirs happen in two parts On Wednesday is the KTV (Kotahitanga Treble Choir) who will focus on singing in parts for treble voices. On Friday is KC (Kotahitanga Choir) who will welcome all voices and sing higher energy songs. You may sing in one, or both.
Kotahitanga Treble Choir
This is for those who want to sing in two or more parts and extend themselves as a vocalist. 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 and there will be some voice placement exercises in the first two rehearsals to ensure you are in the correct group.
Key Information:
Years 7 & 8
Wednesdays/Fridays 8am-8:40am
Director: In 2025, an external expert will be taking Kotahitanga Treble Choir.
Kotahitanga Choir
This is an energetic all-comers 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 8am-8:40am
Director: In 2025, an external expert will be taking Kotahitanga Treble Choir.
Kairangi Chorale
The Kairangi Chorale is an auditioned Chamber choir for ambitious and committed 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-5pm
Director: In 2025, a new external expert, Mr Philip Oliver, will be directing the Kairangi Chorale.
Strathmore Singers
In this energetic and fun choir, 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 four-term commitment that gives many performance opportunities.
Key Information
Years 9-13
Tuesdays/Thursdays 8am-8:40am
Director: Ivan Patterson - [email protected]
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-5pm
Director: Jake Baxendale
Manager: Ivan Patterson - [email protected]
Scots College Orchestra
For accomplished instrumentalists with at least three years of playing experience. 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.
Key Information
Open to instrumentalists in Years 7-13 with at least three years of playing experience.
Wednesdays 3:40pm-4:50pm
Directors:
Ivan Patterson (Orchestra) - [email protected]
Joanna Calvert (Strings) - [email protected]
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 - [email protected]
Scots Rock
The Scots Rock programme is an opportunity for rock students to learn the process of performing and creating songs in a band setting.
Key Information
Years 7-13
Friday 3:40pm-5pm
Director: Marius Nel - [email protected]
Twisted Notes
Twisted Notes is for instrumentalists to join after initial lessons to gain experience playing in a group. This ensemble for developing players 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: Joanna Calvert - [email protected]
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 - [email protected]
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 - [email protected]
Years 9-13
All teams compete in the WSU (Wellington Speaking Union) regular competition Terms 1-3. Premier and some Senior Cert teams also compete at Regionals in Term 1. There are other competitions throughout the year that individual teams can enter.
Prem A compete against Lindisfarne College in the annual winter fixture in Term 2, and against the Scots Collegians in Term 3.
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 - [email protected]
Drama
48h Film Festival
The Vista Foundation 48Hours is NZ's largest guerrilla filmmaking competition! There is nothing quite like it.
Over 500 teams of filmmakers have just 48 hours to write, shoot, and cut a film with a given genre and some random elements. Filmmakers compete for awards and the title of Grand National Champion, culminating in a grand finals event.
You can enter individually or as a team.
Check out more here.
Years 11-13
Dates: 15-17 August 2025
Teacher in Charge: Rachel More - [email protected]
2 in 12 Film Competition
Middle School filmmakers have the chance to create a two minute film in 12 hours on site at the College. They will learn the basics of all aspects of filmmaking in a fun day filled with fast turn around creativity for the screen.
You can enter individually or as a team.
This is an excellent warm up for the national 48Hour Film Competition for the Seniors Students.
Preparation takes place over one week in Term 4 with an all-day Sunday of filming.
Years 7-10
Teacher in Charge: Rachel More - [email protected]
Senior School Production
This year, the school production will be Midnight - A Cinderella Story.
Years 7-13
Production Dates: 31 July-2 August 2025
Teachers in Charge:
Paula Eastman - [email protected]
Rachel More - [email protected]
Scots Crew
Scots Crew is an exciting co-curricular group dedicated to the world of backstage production. Students get involved in all behind-the-scenes areas, from lighting and sound to AV and stage management.
Once students have the knowledge, they then get to test them out in real live events such as the annual College production, music performances, school assemblies, and prizegivings.
Whether you are passionate about tech or just keen to learn what happens behind the curtain, this is your chance to be part of the magic. No experience needed—just enthusiasm and a willingness to get hands-on!
Years 9-13
Most Mondays 3:40pm-5pm and at some events throughout the year.
Teaching Team:
Rachel More - [email protected]
Luis Rodriguez
Matt Jarry
Georgia Kellett
Shakespeare Globe Centre NZ Festival
Shakespeare Globe Centre NZ Festival is an annual event that involves more than half the secondary schools in the country. During the Regional Festival, students engage with Shakespeare's plays by performing 5-minute and 15-minute excerpts from them with schools in their area. Schools from each region are then selected to go on to participate in the National Festival.
The Festival scope is wide as students act, direct, serve as crew, compose music, write essays, and create costumes, posters, static images, and DVD covers for their performances.
To learn more about the competition, click here.
Term 1
Years 7-13
Teacher in Charge: Rachel More - [email protected]
Showquest Performance
Showquest is an exciting performing arts platform for schools across Aotearoa to showcase Art, Music, Dance, Drama, Culture, and Technology in professional theatres.
Click here to learn more.
Terms 1-2
Years 7-13
Show: 22-23 May 2025
Teacher in Charge: Paula Eastman - [email protected]
Showquest Toi Wearable Art
Showquest Toi is run in collaboration with World of Wearable Art (WOW) and is an opportunity for the next generation of textile artists and designers to get a taste for the WOW experience. Toi is te reo Māori for art, and our Toi programme challenges students to take art off the wall and put it on the human form.
Click here to learn more about Showquest Toi.
Terms 1-2
Years 7-13
Show: 22-23 May 2025
Teacher in Charge: Katherine Bertram - [email protected]
Speech & Drama
Robyn Radomski
Kia ora. My name is Robyn Radomski and I have been teaching Speech and Drama and Public Speaking for many years, and at Scots College for 4 years.
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. Speech and Drama and Public Speaking classes give students the ability to express themselves with clarity, confidence, and courtesy, building resilience and self esteem.
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. Lessons are tailored to meet the individual needs, interests, and goals of the students.
At Scots, classes are offered for individuals, pairs, and small groups for students from Year 4 to Year 13 through to diploma.
Skills covered are vocal development, drama, reading aloud, poetry speaking, extempore talks, impromptu speaking, public speaking, and improvisation.
Most students take up the option of sitting exams with either Speech NZ or Trinity College.
For more information and to register for 2025, please contact me on [email protected] or 027 2018766
Maggie Baker
Tēnā koutou katoa,
My name is Maggie Baker and I am 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 (International examination body)
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 focused 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.
To enrol and for more information, please contact me via email: [email protected] or mobile: 0212576198.
“These exams give you a whole foundation of confidence, progression and a sense of achievement, and the external celebration of that achievement which is really important.” (Xenia Horne, Trinity Examiner)
Kāhui Raukura
Kāhui Raukura
Kāhui Raukura is directly translated as "Young leaders of tomorrow," like Kahikatea trees needing the support of other trees around them to grow strong and straight in the native forests of Aotearoa, New Zealand.
As Kāhui Raukura, we provide Te Reo Māori me tikanga at Scots College (Kōtarani). This matauranga is learnt and shared in Māori classes each week. Kāhui Raukura are also students who are Māori, Tangata Moana, and Tauiwi at Scots College who are invited to perform Kapa Haka performances on a regular basis. This maybe for Pōwhirtanga, general entertainment, or EOTC Māori cultural experiences, e.g., Te Rā Haka and Poroporoake (supporting goodbyes with Kapa Haka content). Kāhui Raukura are also connected with Alo Fa’atasi, where we all support Māori and Pasifika endeavours through our Scots Hāpori (communities).
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.
Hui a Marama: Monthly Māori Whānau Hui held on the first Monday of each month in conjunction with Pasifika Alo Fa’atasi.
Hui Ako Aronui: Academic Focus Group, Mondays 4-6pm.
Wānanga Rangatahi: Weekly Tutor Hui.
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 dedicates their time to practicing for the Wellington Secondary Schools Tu Tagata 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.
Key Information
Years 7-13
PAF is a full-year commitment.
Practices are Sunday 4pm-6pm and Monday 4pm-6pm
Talanoa Parents Sessions: 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.
Language Weeks: Each year we concentrate on celebrating two Languages during National Language weeks in Term 2 and 3.
Literacy and Numeracy Programme: Tracking all Year 7 to Year 10 Pasifika Students with supporting Literacy and Numeracy throughout the year.
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. More information about the history of our Pipe Band can be found here.
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.
Students can choose to learn the bag pipes or drums. There are three types of drums; Snare, Tenor and Bass drums. Students receive lessons during school time (usually Wednesday) with one of our tutors. Once students are ready for the band, they start attending band practices after school on a Wednesday.
Manager: Hazel Redpath - [email protected]
STEM
STEM Club
The STEM Club is a space for students to connect with their peers who are also interested in STEM (Science, Technology, Engieneering, and Mathematics) subjects and interests. Currently, the club is focussing on digital technology.
Students gather at the Matamoe Hub at lunchtime every day during term time. Some use the club time to work on their digital technology projects or extended projects, and some work on their own personal projects, with guidance from staff members or older students.
Examples of technologies that students have had the chance to work with include 3D printing, Scratch programing, Arduino and Micro:Bits assembling and programming, and robotics.
Key Information
Teacher in Charge: Natalie Zhao - [email protected]